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Rob Roy Smith advises Indian tribal clients and those doing business in Indian Country on all aspects of federal law, including economic development, natural and cultural resource protection, taxation, tribal sovereignty and gaming. His work with tribes throughout the Pacific Northwest, Southwest and Oklahoma gives him unique understanding of the laws, regulations and relationships that affect tribal economic development.
Rob’s work with tribal entities spans nearly a decade. He has experience handling legal strategy, briefing and pleadings in various federal, state and tribal court cases, drafting and negotiating commercial and business documents, directing response to and defense of IRS audits and managing all aspects of litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He has also drafted and presented legislation, testimony, and written comments to U.S. Congress, the Idaho State Legislature, and various federal agencies.
Rob is a frequent speaker and writer on Indian law, tribal sovereignty, tribal taxation and cultural resource protection. He serves as an adjunct professor at Seattle University School of Law where he’s scheduled to teach Federal Indian Law in 2008. Rob enjoys travel, kayaking, and long distance running.
Professional Experience
Ater Wynne LLP, Seattle, Washington, Of Counsel, 2007 to present
Morisset, Schlosser, Jozwiak & McGaw, Seattle, Washington, 2002 to 2007
Nez Perce Tribe Office of Legal Counsel, Lapwai, Idaho, 2000 to 2002
Education
Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College, J.D. Certificate in Natural Resources and Environmental Law, cum laude, 2000; Animal Law Journal, Editor in Chief, 1999 to 2000; Environmental Law Review, member 1998 to 1999; Natural Resources Leadership Award, 2000
College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, B.A., 1997
Admitted to Practice
Washington, 2003
Oregon, 2000
Idaho, 2001
United States Supreme Court
United States Tax Court
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Various Tribal Courts
Professional Activities
Seattle University School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Federal Indian Law, Spring 2008
Washington State Bar, Indian Law Section
Oregon State Bar, Indian Law Section
Community Activities
Lewis and Clark Law School, Alumni Board of Directors, 2007 to present
University of Washington School of Law, Greenlaw Advisory Board, 2005 to present; Moot Court Judge 2004, 2005
Animal Legal Defense Fund, Volunteer Attorney, 2007 to present
Representative Publications and/or Presentations
At A Complex Crossroads: Animal Law in Indian Country. Animal Law. Forthcoming Winter 2007
Indian Tribes, Tribal Lands and Indian Arts and Crafts chapter, 2007 Cultural Property Yearbook, 2007
If you Think Federal Labor Laws Do Not Apply to Indian Tribes, Think Again, Idaho State Bar Advocate. April 2007
Taxing Times: the U.S. Supreme Court Muddies Indian Law Taxation Jurisprudence Again, Idaho State Bar Advocate. February 2006
The Tribal Tax Man Cometh Recent Developments in Indian Tax Law, Idaho State Bar Advocate. Spring 2005
Cultural Resource Protection Strategies: Post-Kennewick Man. Paper written and presented at The Changing Dynamic of Indian Law in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, Washington. May 2004.
Resolving Tribal Personnel Issues: Establishing an Effective Framework. Presented to Washington State Bar Indian Law CLE. May 2007
Tribal Case Law Update. Presented to University of Idaho College of Law, Third Annual Indian Law Symposium. October 2006
The Council’s Counsel: The Ethics of Representing Tribal Councils. Idaho State Bar Annual Meeting. July 2006
Tribal Tax Law Update. University of Idaho College of Law, Second Annual Indian Law Symposium, February 2005
Bones of Contention The Kennewick Man. Tribal Sovereignty, and the Future of NAGPRA. University of Idaho College of Law, Indian Law Symposium. February 2004
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