Author: Andrew Adams III

Minnesota Supreme Court Rule Recognizing Tribal Court Orders

Andrew Adams III

Over 15 years ago, the Minnesota Tribal Court/State Court Forum petitioned the Minnesota Supreme Court to adopt a robust rule for recognition of tribal court orders. Due in large part to public concern about the efficacy of tribal courts, the supreme court adopted a more cautious rule, one that provided limited guidance and delegated excessive discretion to district courts. The consequences were delays and inconsistencies in the recognition process.

In 2016, the Forum petitioned the supreme court to amend the rule, arguing that any concerns about today’s tribal courts are unfounded. It asked the Minnesota Supreme Court to enhance the rule and extend due deference and respect to tribal courts. The petition received overwhelming support from state court judges, local attorney associations, and the national Indian law community. In a 4-2 decision on July 2, 2018, the Minnesota Supreme Court granted the Forum’s petition with minor amendments.

Thank you to all of the state and tribal court judges of the Forum for their leadership and thanks also to Peter Rademacher (Hogen Adams PLLC) for his tireless work as scrivener of the Forum.

Administrative – Order – Other

4th Annual Indian Law CLE • State Bar of Wisconsin Indian Law Section • September 18, 2015

Andrew Adams III

Whether you are a practitioner currently working in Indian Country, or looking to learn more about the exciting and broad field of Indian Law, do not miss the Fourth Annual Indian Law CLE.  Please join the Indian Law Section at the Legendary Waters Resort and Casino in Bayfield, WI as we discuss current topics in Indian Law. This program will be submitted to the Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners for up to 8.0 CLE credits.  We will also be submitting this program for ethics and professional responsibility (EPR) credits.

More info here.

Minnesota American Indian Bar Association 2015 Indian Law Conference

Andrew Adams III

Friday, May 15, 2015
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Central Time) 
Grand Casino Hinckley
Hinckley, MN 55037

Here for additional information.

Special Guest Speakers:

Judge Leo I. Brisbois
United States District Court; District of Minnesota; Duluth
Sheila D. Corbine
Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP; Mandan, North Dakota
Suzan Shown Harjo
President, Morning Star Institute; Washington, D.C.
Judge Anne K. McKeig
Fourth Judicial District; Minneapolis
Katherian D. Roe
Office of the Federal Defender; District of Minnesota; Minneapolis
Jeanette Wolfley
University of New Mexico School of Law; Albuquerque, New Mexico

And a special luncheon presentation by
Karen R. Diver
Chairwoman, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Cloquet, Minnesota

Topics:

  • Case Law Update
  • The Use of Indian Names, Symbols and Mascots in Sports: The Washington Football Team Controversy and the Role of Trademark Rights
  • M&A Transactions for Indian Tribes
  • Criminal Law, Public Safety and Due Process in Minnesota’s Native Communities
  • Tribes and Public Policy: From Development to Implementation
  • Tribes and Water in Minnesota
  • The Indian Child Welfare Act: Reconfigured 2015
  • Complex Civil Jurisdiction Issues in Tribal Court: The Teague Factors and Beyond
  • Exploited Youth and the Safe Harbor Law
  • Spotting and Dealing with Ethical Conflicts in Indian Country

FBA DC Indian Law Conference: Photos

Andrew Adams III

Panel 1
Roundtable on the Federal Trust Responsibility – Perspectives of a Federal Government Lawyer
Moderator: Loretta Tuell, Conference Co-Chair, Greenberg Traurig
Speakers:
Jonathan Binder, Environmental Protection Agency
Jonathan Damm, Internal Revenue Service
John Hay, National Indian Gaming Commission
Julia Pierce, Indian Health Service
Jeffrey Prieto, Acting General Counsel, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Venus Prince, Associate Solicitor of Indian Affairs
Maureen Rudolph, Environmental and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Dept. of Justice

Recognition
Federal Recognition
Moderator: Gina Allery, Conference Co-Chair, ENRD United States Dept. of Justice
Speakers:
Michael Anderson, Anderson Indian Law
Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, Director of the Indian Legal Clinic at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Pat Rogers, Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Heather Sibbison, Dentons

Keynote
Keynote
Kevin Gover, Director of the National Museum of the American Indian

Gaming 3
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA)
Moderator: Loretta Tuell
Speakers:
Steve Bodmer, Deputy General Counsel, Pechanga Tribe
Scott Crowell, Crowell Law Office – Tribal Advocacy Group
Paula Hart, Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Indian Gaming
Alex Skibine, Professor, College of Law, University of Utah

Ethics
Ethics
Moderator: Richard Guest, Native American Rights Fund
Speakers:
Rebecca Chapman, Chapman Law
Gabe Galanda, Galanda Broadman (via Skype)
Peter Lepsch, Lepsch Law Office

Energy
Tribal Energy Development
Moderator: Jennifer Turner, U.S. Dept. of the Interior – Office of the Solicitor
Speakers:
Paul Moorehead, Powers Pyles & Verville
Larry Roberts, Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs
Jennifer Weddle, Greenberg Traurig
Rollie Wilson, Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP

Minnesota Legislature Unhappy with Online Lottery Expansion

Andrew Adams III

The Minnesota Lottery rolled out online sales of PowerBall, Mega Millions, and other lottery tickets four years ago and earlier this year debuted instant online scratch off games. It seems that the online scratch offs have illicit the ire of members of the Minnesota Legislature. Some of the Legislators are calling what the Minnesota Lottery is doing as “online crack.” Interesting articles about this can be found at the following:

Pioneer Press

Star Tribune

CBS Minnesota

SCTimes