Whistleblower Prevails in Suit against Cherokee Nation

Here are the materials in Comingdeer v. Cherokee Nation (Cherokee Dist. Ct.):

Complaint

Motion to Dismiss

Nation Motion to DQ Attorney Smith

Objection to Cherokee Nation s Motion to Deem Objection Confessed

Objection to Motion to Dismiss

Order Denying Motion to DQ Attorney Smith

Order Overruling Defendant s Motion to Dismiss and Ruling on Other Pending Motions

Reply in Support of Defendant s Motion to Dismiss

Jury Instructions

Final Judgment Under Advisement, Verdict Form 1, and Verdict Form 2

Utah Federal Court Orders Exhaustion of Tribal Remedies in Ute Banishment Case

Here are the new materials in Chegup v. Ute Indian Tribe of the Unitah and Ouray Indian Reservation (D. Utah), formerly Chegup v. Ute Indian Tribal Court of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation:

Tenth Circuit materials here. Earlier materials in the district court here.

Angela Riley to Deliver Stevens Lecture at Colorado Law School 10/18/22

Register here.

Washington Federal Court Rules in Favor of Suquamish over Insurance Company in Tribal Court Jurisdiction Dispute

Here are the materials in Suquamish Tribe v. Smith (W.D. Wash.):

Puget Sound and Seattle from Suquamish

Fletcher on Teaching Indian Law in the 21st Century

Here is “Teaching Indian Law in the 21st Century,” (hopefully) forthcoming in an edited collection of papers on teaching law in the 21st century.

The abstract:

Since the first Indian law classes were offered in the late 1960s and early 1970s, law teachers mostly have considered the field a niche specialty, even a backwater, unnecessary to anyone not likely to go into law practice in Indian country. In those days, law teachers focused on treaty rights fights. Treaty rights are a critical but small part of Indian country practice. Lawyers in modern day Indian country handle virtually every kind of matter taught in law schools in addition to the Indian law-specific subject matters. Beginning in the 1990s, American Indian tribal nations started to become critical factors in governmental and economic activity throughout much of the United States.
In the 21st century, many law schools offer Indian law — and occasionally offer additional, specialized courses — but generally are still far behind the curve. Worse, when it is offered, the Indian law canon tends to be taught in ways that ignore contemporary tribal agency by emphasizing historical events over modern issues. Modern tribal nations make their own laws. Here I give examples of tribal court cases and tribal statutes law teachers can use to incorporate Indian law into virtually any common law course.

Eighth Circuit Briefs in WPX Energy Williston LLC v. Fettig

Here:

Lower court materials here.

California Federal Court Rebuffs Coyote Valley Effort to Stop State Court Contract Dispute

Here are the updated materials in Coyote Band of Pomo Indians v. Findleton (N.D. Cal.):

Prior post here.

New York Federal Court Declines to Enjoin Smoke Shops at Cayuga

Here is the order in Cayuga Nation v. Parker (N.D. N.Y.):

Akwesasne Notes, 1986

Prior post here.

Fletcher Reflections on Professionalism in Tribal Jurisdictions

Fletcher has posted “Reflections on Professionalism in Tribal Jurisdictions,” a short paper prepared for a special issue of the Michigan Bar Journal.

The abstract:

In this article, I will canvass several themes of professionalism in tribal practice, drawing my tribal law experience. Many lawyers to undervalue — even disrespect — tribal governance. This lack of professionalism has significant costs to tribal governments, tribal business, and their business partners.

Another irrelevant image.

Connecticut Court Dismiss Contract Suit against Mohegan Tribe

Here are the materials in Drabik v. Thomas (Conn. Super.):