Nearly 20 years of experience in tribal law, with a particular focus on representing American Indian tribes.
Provides comprehensive advice to tribal clients regarding American Indian law & policy.
Member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, as well as of Santee Sioux.

Katie is a leading advisor to Indian tribes, tribal governmental instrumentalities and tribally owned enterprises. With two decades of tribal law experience, Katie has advised on a number of highly significant tribal issues, including one of the largest Indian water rights settlements in U.S. history and the largest tribal trust claim settlement. A citizen of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, as well as of Santee Sioux, Katie has a deep understanding of the issues impacting tribal clients.

Katie is highly regarded for her work in negotiating 105(l) leases with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and Indian Health Service (IHS). Leveraging her in-depth experience and knowledge of the 105(l) leasing process, Katie helps clients prepare lease packages that expedite federal and tribal review and approval. Tribal clients also rely on Katie to provide counsel on Indian water rights, land into trust matters, regulatory compliance, American Indian policies, lobbying and advocacy, and appearing before Congress.

Katie offers tribal clients the full spectrum of services, including advice on:

Negotiating 105(l) leases with the DOI and IHS
Indian water law, including congressional enactment and implementation of Indian water settlements
Water management and marketing
Land into trust and restricted fee land matters
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services funding opportunities
Tribal trust accounting litigation and settlement
Withdrawal of trust assets pursuant to the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act
Federal appropriations and congressional representation
Bureau of Indian Education school construction and financing
Process for replacement of state statues in Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol.

In addition, Katie counsels clients on complex matters involving:

Federal, state and tribal tax laws
Indian gaming law
Economic development initiatives
Environmental regulation
Contract support costs under the Indian Self-Determination Education and Assistance Act
Tribal sovereign immunity.

Katie has also been recognized on numerous occasions for her pro bono work and social justice advocacy, including receiving the Frank Reddick Pro Bono Award and Akin’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership award.

"Katie is always professional and provides a top-level service. She is timely, diligent and extremely knowledgeable of her work and the law generally."

Chambers USA, 2021

Education
J.D., Columbia Law School, 2005
B.A., University of Nebraska at Lincoln, 2001

Bar Admissions
District of Columbia
Nebraska

Recognitions

The Legal 500 US, Native American Law, 2022 and 2024.
Diversity Journal, Native American Indigenous Leaders Worth Watching, 2021.
Chambers USA, Government Relations: Federal, 2019-2023.
Chambers USA, Native American Law, 2022-2024.
Law360, Native American Advisory Board Member, 2018.
Akin, Stark Ritchie Senior Counsel Award, 2018.
Law360, Rising Star, 2017.
NABA-DC, Excellence in Mentoring, 2017.
Alpha Chi Omega, REAL. STRONG. WOMEN. OF DISTINCTION AWARD, 2017.
Bisnow, Top 40 Lawyers Under 40, 2016.
National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, Native American 40 Under 40, 2015.

Affiliations and Public Service

Board Member, Chief Standing Bear Project
Board Member, National Park Trust
Member, Akin Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council , Washington, D.C.
Board Member, Notah Begay III Foundation.
Past President, Native American Bar Association, D.C.

Speeches and Publications

Speaker, “Settlement Implementation: Next Steps After You Reach a Settlement,” Tribal Water in the Southwest, March 8, 2019.
Speaker, “Federal Administrative Policy Towards Tribal Water Rights and Settlements,” Tribal Water in California, January 28, 2019.
Speaker, “Tribal Water Rights Settlements,” Tribal Water in the Southwest
Speaker, Big Red Talks: Success Beyond the Classroom, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nov. 8, 2017.
Speaker, “Recent Federal Court Decisions,” National Indian Gaming Association Tradeshow & Convention, April 11, 2017.