About ILS

About the Indian Law Section

The goal of the Indian Law Section (ILS) of the Oregon State Bar is to encourage a greater understanding of tribal sovereignty and tribal court systems, and to improve the practice of federal Indian law in Oregon. These disciplines sound in multiple practice areas, including sovereign immunity, child welfare, gaming, lending and finance, economic development, water law, real estate and fee-to-trust, environmental and energy law, natural resources protection and development, contracts, cultural resources protection, state-tribe compacts, estate planning and probate, tribal governance, health care, and tribal jurisdiction.

Organized in 1995, the ILS represents a wide spectrum of attorneys: such as those in private practice, in-house attorneys for tribes, attorneys for non-profit organizations advocating for tribal rights, and attorneys who serve as tribal court judges. We provide a voice for members on issues of state and national concern affecting Indian country. 

The ILS Executive Committee encourages all new or current members of the Oregon State Bar with an interest in tribal law or federal Indian law matters to join the Indian Law Section. Membership is open to all members of the Bar as well as non-attorneys. The ILS currently has 175 members, and annual dues are currently $20.00. For more information on joining a section, please go here: https://www.osbar.org/sections/indian.html, and click on “Joining Sections.” You may also log directly into your Oregon State Bar member account and follow the prompts.

Interested members may also wish to check out and support the Northwest Indian Bar Association, the regional affinity bar for Native American attorneys, paralegals, and tribal court personnel. More information may be found here: https://www.nwiba.org/ and here: https://www.osbar.org/diversity.