What You Need to Know When Doing Business with American Indian Tribes

Gain an understanding on the unique legal challenges that can be faced when conducting business with American Indian Tribes.

Many companies and investors conducting business in American Indian land and with American Indian tribes fail to understand the complex body of law governing their transactions and the unique attributes of tribal sovereignty, as well as how these concepts and requirements may influence the ability to timely close a deal or protect a client or business if a dispute subsequently arises. This topic helps companies and investors identify and navigate these issues, with concrete advice on drafting contracts for transactions with American Indian tribes and their business enterprises, how to obtain rights to use land held by American Indian tribes for large scale energy and infrastructure projects, and how HEARTH Act regulations and newly enacted statutory amendments facilitating the development of Tribal Energy Resource Agreements are changing the legal landscape. The information will discuss tribal issues related to projects requiring federal approvals, including compliance with NEPA, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and tribal consultation obligations and best practices. This is critical for anyone doing business in American Indian land.