Natural Resources

Many of the firm's tribal clients have substantial reserves of oil, gas, uranium, coal, other minerals, and timber. The firm pioneered the use of joint ventures to recover tribal minerals, first with industry partners and more recently by Indian tribes to maximize financial return while minimizing risk. By helping Indian tribes negotiate rights-of-way, and other agreements concerning land use, the firm has enabled tribes to maximize revenue while preserving tribal jurisdiction.

The firm's tribal clients include the owner of what was, at one time, the world's largest open-pit uranium mine. As a result of negotiations handled by the firm, the tribe obtained funds from the former lessee to reclaim the mine and formed its own company to perform the reclamation.

The firm's unique experience in natural resource development, lease compliance, auditing, and accounting has been recognized by the Secretary of the Interior. The Secretary has appointed one of the firm's attorneys to serve on several policy-making committees, including the Royalty Management Advisory Committee and the Royalty Policy Committee. This same attorney was instrumental in drafting new federal regulations on Indian gas valuation.

As a result of the firm's experience in natural resources litigation, administrative proceedings, and negotiations, we have successfully collected hundreds of millions of dollars for Indian tribes for the non-payment or underpayment of royalties. In a timber mismanagement case, the firm recovered the largest judgment ever awarded a single Indian tribe under the Indian Claims Commission Act.

The firm also has expertise in developing comprehensive strategies for Indian tribes to achieve the best return for their non-renewable natural resources and to assure the sustained yield of their renewable resources.