Indian Country Land Use Contracts Complex, Challenging

Press Release

01/26/2017

PHOENIX – Unique intricacies of Native American land use issues often complicate contract negotiations. Two upcoming programs on negotiating contracts on tribal lands feature lawyers Pilar Thomas and Frances Sjoberg of the Indian law group at Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP.

Thomas and Sjoberg will discuss jurisdiction, federal policy of tribal self-determination and self-governance, new right-of-way rules from the Department of the Interior, and ethical considerations in negotiating contracts for or with Indian tribes during seminars in Flagstaff on Feb. 6 and Phoenix on Feb. 9.

“Negotiating Contracts on Tribal Lands” is designed for real estate professionals, banking and finance professionals, oil and gas company representatives, mining company representatives, tribal government officials, attorneys and others.

Thomas’s practice is focused on Indian law, tribal renewable energy project development and finance, tribal economic development, and Indian gaming. She assists clients with strategic legal advice on tribal energy policy and planning, renewable energy project development and finance, federal and state energy regulatory, programs, and policy efforts, tribal gaming regulations, gaming-related transactions, litigation, and other business and economic development efforts.

Sjoberg’s practice focuses ‎on real estate transactions and financing, tribal self-determination, Indian gaming, and drafting tribal codes and policy. She has experience with complex jurisdictional issues, public lands, and federal reserved water rights. In 2016, Sjoberg received pro bono service recognition from Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, and was recognized as a Rising Star in Native American Law and Real Estate by Southwest Super Lawyers. ‎

Topics include:

• Rights-of-Way on Tribal Lands: A Regulatory Overview
• Who Can Authorize Easements on Tribal Lands?
• Perpetuity of Easements
• Locating Documentation of Existing Right-of-Ways
• Appraisal Challenges
• Negotiation Strategies for Easements
• Key Documents for Negotiating Easements
• What Role does the BIA Play in Negotiations?
• Necessary Forms and Procedures with Examples

For more information on the Phoenix program, click here.

For more information on the Flagstaff program, click here.

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