North Dakota Federal Court Allows Challenge to Tribal TERO Suit to Proceed against TERO Officer

Here are the materials in Dakota Metal Fabrication v. Parisien (D.N.D.):

Modoc Nation and FAA Prevail in Challenge to Airport Sale to Tribe

Here is the unpublished order in Tule Lake Committee v. FAA:

Jaune Smith

Split Montana SCT Decides Arm of the Tribe Sovereign Immunity Case, sorta. . . .

Here are the materials in Lustre Oil Co. LLC v. Anadarko Minerals Inc. (Mont. S. Ct.):

Adam Crepelle on an Intertribal Business Court

Interesting idea.

Adam Crepelle has published “An Intertribal Business Court” in the American Business Law Journal. Here is the abstract:

Few Indian reservations have any semblance of a private sector. Consequently, poverty and unemployment are major problems in much of Indian country. While there are many reasons why private enterprise is scarce in Indian country, one of the foremost reasons is businesses do not trust tribal courts. Businesses’ distrust of tribal courts is not unique as outsiders often fear bias in foreign tribunals. Similarly, businesses are often concerned about a court’s capacity to adjudicate complex disputes. Federal diversity jurisdiction was developed to allay fear of bias, and many states have developed business courts to address questions about court capacity. Tribes can overcome these issues by creating an intertribal business court (IBC). Tribes will be free to sculpt the IBC as they see fit. However, the IBC’s intertribal nature will help reduce fears of bias, and an IBC’s focus on business disputes will answer doubts about court capacity. An IBC will also make tribal law more accessible, further increasing confidence in this new tribunal. As businesses gain greater confidence in tribal legal institutions through the IBC, they will be more likely to operate in Indian country. Accordingly, the IBC could help to transform tribal economies.

Idaho Federal Court Dismisses Contract Claim against Coeur d’Alene Tribe

Here are the materials in Stinson Lumber Co. v. Coeur d’Alene Tribe (D. Idaho):

Fourth Circuit Affirms Certification of Class Action against Tribal Payday Lending Operation [that’s kinda what this case is now, kinda]

Here is the opinion in Williams v. Martorello.

An excerpt:

This class-action proceeding relates to a lending scheme allegedly designed to circumvent state usury laws. Matt Martorello appeals from three district court rulings that (1) reconsidered prior factual findings based on a new finding that Martorello made misrepresentations that substantially impacted the litigation, (2) found that the plaintiffs- appellees—Virginia citizens who took out loans (the “Borrowers”)—did not waive their right to participate in a class-action suit against him, and (3) granted class certification.
In particular, Martorello argues that the district court violated the mandate rule by making factual findings related to the misrepresentations that contradicted this Court’s holding in the prior appeal and then relying on those factual findings when granting class certification. He also contends that the Borrowers entered into enforceable loan agreements with lending entities in which they waived their right to bring class claims against him. In addition, he asserts that common issues do not predominate so as to permit class treatment in this case.
As explained below, we disagree with Martorello. We conclude that the district court did not violate the mandate rule and that the Borrowers did not waive the right to pursue the resolution of their dispute against him in a class-action proceeding. Finally, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in granting class certification because common issues predominate. Accordingly, we affirm the rulings of the district court.

Briefs here.

Lower court materials here.

SCOTUS Grants LDF v. Coughlin

Here is the order.

Cert stage briefs here.

New York Federal Court Dismisses Third Party Claims against Cayuga and Clint Halftown [except for recoupment] in Smoke Shop Dispute

Here are the updated materials in Cayuga Nation v. Parker (N.D. N.Y.):

Prior post here.