Skip to main content

Practice Areas Native American & Tribal Law

Forsberg & Umlauf offers a wide range of services to our Native American and tribal clients. We understand the importance of the sovereignty and vitality of each tribe, and endeavor to protect these attributes in each case.

We provide vigorous representation, including motion practice aimed at obtaining early dismissal of lawsuits whenever possible. Our practice includes representation at the trial and appellate court level in tribal, state, and federal courts in many types of cases, including:

  • Tort Claims (Wrongful Death, Premises Liability, Defamation, Assault and Battery, Dram Shop)
  • Employment
  • False Claims Act
  • Violation of Whistleblower Statutes
  • Violation of Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA)
  • Constitutional Challenges to Tribal Ordinances
Profile image of Robert W. Novasky

Primary Contact Robert W. Novasky

Shareholder

Direct Line(253) 572-4200

Email

View Profile

Practicing Attorneys

Profile image of Robert W. Novasky

Robert W. Novasky

Shareholder

View Profile
Profile image of Martin J. Pujolar

Martin J. Pujolar

Shareholder

View Profile
Profile image of Roy A. Umlauf

Roy A. Umlauf

Shareholder, Retired

View Profile

Representative Cases

We obtained dismissal of a lawsuit alleging dram shop liability for over-service of alcohol at a tribal casino on the basis of tribal sovereign immunity. This decision was affirmed by Division II of the Court of Appeals in Foxworthy v. Puyallup Tribe of Indians, 141 Wn. App. 221 (2007).

We obtained summary judgment dismissal of the Tribe and a favorable settlement for the individual tribal employee in a wrongful death case following a shooting by a law enforcement officer. The court determined the Tribe was entitled to dismissal based on sovereign immunity.

In a case involving the traffic stop of an intoxicated, non-tribal driver by a tribal police officer, we obtained dismissal of the tribe based on sovereign immunity. Though the civil rights claim against the tribal officer remained, we were able to achieve a favorable settlement.

We obtained dismissal of an employment grievance for failure to prove the employee’s termination violated the Indian Tribe’s policies and procedures. The employee’s termination was determined proper in the grievance hearing. The ex-employee then sought judicial review and after the decision was upheld, appealed the decision. The tribal court of appeals affirmed the termination as proper.