In light of supposition about the relative experience of the oral advocates that the United States utilizes in Indian law cases (more experienced advocates in opposition to tribal interests, less experienced advocates in support of tribal interests), we present Peter Vicaire’s preliminary research on the advocates that have appeared before the Supreme Court in recent decades: SCT Advocates
As with many things, there is some support for this proposition, but nothing conclusive. Here is a list since 2001.
OSG Advocates in Support of Tribal Interests (with number of SCT oral arguments prior to the argument):
Carcieri v. Salazar (2009) — Deanne Maynard (8 prior arguments)
Plains Commerce Bank (2008) — Curtis Gannon (zero prior arguments)
Wagnon (2005) — Edwin Kneedler (100+ arguments)
Sherrill (2005) — Malcomb Stewart (33 prior arguments)
Lara (2004) — Kneedler (100+)
Klamath Water Users (2001) — Malcomb Stewart (21 prior arguments)
Nevada v. Hicks (2001) — Barbard McDowell (8 prior, including 3 Indian law arguments)
Idaho v. US (2001) — David Fredericks (12 prior arguments, later argued for Long Family in PCB)
Atkinson Trading (2001) — Beth Brinkman (17 prior arguments, including 2 Indian law cases)
OSG Advocates in Opposition to Tribal Interests:
Navajo Nation II (2009) — Kneedler
Cherokee Nation v. Leavitt (2005) — Sri Srinivasan (zero)
Inyo County (2003) (opposed tribal position on Section 1983) — Barbara McDowell (14, plus 4 prior Indian law arguments)
Navajo Nation I (2003) — Kneedler
White Mountain Apache (2003) — Gregory Garre (4 prior, including 1 Indian law argument, later became SG under Bush)
Chicksaw Nation v. US (2001) — Ed DuMont (18 prior, including 1 Indian law argument, later nominated for Fed. Cir. by Obama)
Turtle Talk 