Peebles Bergin Schulte & Robinson LLP

10/08/2026

𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐭𝐲
✔️Native language revitalization is one of the clearest expressions of Tribal sovereignty in action. Since the Native American Languages Act of 1990 affirmed the right of Tribes to use, practice, and develop their languages, Tribal Nations across the country have built immersion schools, apprenticeship programs, and digital archives to pass languages to the next generation.

Every fluent speaker, every classroom, and every recorded story is an act of self-determination, proof that culture and governance are inseparable.

Peebles Bergin supports the legal foundations, from education funding to self-governance compacts, that make this work possible. Learn more about our work at ndnlaw.com.


Reference: Native American Languages Act of 1990, 25 U.S.C. § 2901 et seq.
prelim@title25/chapter31&edition=prelim" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title25/chapter31&edition=prelim

10/06/2026

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧-𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲
Peebles Bergin Partner Anna M. Bruty and Lainey E. Rutter recently co-authored “Foreign-Trade Zones in Indian Country,” published in the September 2026 issue of the Michigan Bar Journal. Rutter worked on the article while serving as a law clerk with Peebles Bergin, where she gained experience working alongside attorneys focused on Federal Indian law and matters affecting Tribal Nations.

The article explores Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) as an often-overlooked economic development opportunity for Tribal Nations. Traditionally used to support international commerce through customs and tariff advantages, FTZs may offer tribes additional opportunities to attract investment, strengthen tribally owned enterprises, expand manufacturing and trade, and advance economic diversification.

Bruty and Rutter examine the potential benefits and legal considerations surrounding Tribal FTZs, including taxation, jurisdiction, federal contracting opportunities, strategic location, and the role FTZ development can play in strengthening tribal sovereignty and intertribal commerce.

Read the full article in the Michigan Bar Journal.

Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) are longstanding federal economic de­velopment tools designed to encourage international commerce by allowing businesses to defer, reduce, or eliminate certain customs du­ties on imported goods. Although FTZs have been widely utilized by ports, municipalities, manufactur...

10/01/2026

We are - ASSOCIATE - WASHINGTON, DC
✔️Peebles Bergin Schulte & Robinson LLP - a national law firm dedicated to the representation of Native American tribes and tribally owned enterprises - is seeking a full-time Associate Attorney for its Washington, DC office.

We are looking for candidates with experience representing Indian tribes, tribal entities, or businesses, or a demonstrated interest in working in Indian Country. The ideal candidate will have experience or a strong interest in economic development, corporate governance, business transactions, or assisting outside general counsel.
More here: https://www.ndnlaw.com/careers

Apply here: https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=b35eff244cc86baa

09/29/2026

We are an ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY - SACRAMENTO, CA
Peebles Bergin Schulte & Robinson LLP - a national law firm dedicated to the representation of Native American tribes and tribally owned enterprises - is seeking a full-time Associate Attorney for its Sacramento, California office.

We are looking for candidates with experience representing Indian tribes, tribal entities, or businesses, or a demonstrated interest in working in Indian Country. The ideal candidate will have experience or a strong interest in economic development, corporate governance, business transactions, or assisting outside general counsel. More here: https://www.ndnlaw.com/careers

Apply here: https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=bd30e55cd529bf1a

09/28/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞: 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Peebles Bergin Partner Anna M. Bruty and Managing Partner Patrick R. Bergin recently authored “Practicing in a Sovereign Space: Opportunity and Complexity in Tribal Transactions,” published in the September 2026 issue of the Michigan Bar Journal.

As Tribal Nations continue to expand and diversify their economic development activities, transactions involving tribes present significant opportunities—as well as legal considerations distinct from conventional commercial transactions. Bruty and Bergin examine the importance of understanding tribal sovereignty, sovereign immunity, governance structures, jurisdiction, choice of law, and tribal regulatory authority when developing successful and durable business relationships.

The article offers practical insight for attorneys and businesses working with Tribal Nations and underscores why a tribe-specific approach grounded in both legal understanding and respect for sovereignty is critical to successful transactions.

Read the full article in the Michigan Bar Journal.

Transactions involving Indian tribes present both significant opportunity and distinct legal complexity. In Michigan, and across the country, tribal nations are engaged in a wide range of sophisticated economic development initiatives, including gaming and hospitality, renewable energy, infrastructu...

09/23/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 - 𝐆𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞 | 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲
This week we celebrate Gavin Ratcliffe on his 3rd work anniversary with Peebles Bergin.

Gavin joined the firm's Sacramento office in September 2023, bringing a strong foundation in constitutional, environmental, administrative, and appellate law from his joint J.D./Master of Public Administration program at Syracuse University. His decision to dedicate his practice to Indian law was shaped by time spent with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in Northern Minnesota, where he gained a deeper understanding of the connection between law and the environmental, economic, and political conditions facing Tribal Nations.

Since joining the firm, Gavin has focused his practice on business, gaming, and tribal governance matters, contributing meaningfully to the Tribal Nations Peebles Bergin is privileged to serve.
Thank you, Gavin, for three years of dedicated service. To learn more about Gavin, visit https://www.ndnlaw.com/team-members/gavin-ratcliffe

Peebles Bergin continues to support the sovereignty and resilience celebrated today.
Learn more about our team and mission: https://www.ndnlaw.com/our-people

09/21/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐋𝐚𝐰
For Tribal Nations, cultural resources are more than historic sites, they are living connections to ancestors, traditions, and future generations.

Protecting sacred places, cultural resources, and ancestral lands requires thoughtful legal strategies that recognize Tribal interests and sovereignty.

Across the country, Tribal Nations continue advocating for stronger protections of cultural resources through consultation, legislation, land management, and legal action.

Peebles Bergin is committed to supporting Tribal Nations as they protect the places, traditions, and resources that define their communities.

Explore Peebles Bergin’s work supporting Tribal Nations in matters involving sovereignty, governance, and protection of Tribal interests:
https://www.ndnlaw.com

References:
National Park Service — Tribal Consultation & Historic Preservation
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/historicpreservationfund/tribal-historic-preservation-office-program.htm
(Relevant to Tribal consultation, preservation, and protecting cultural resources.)
Bureau of Indian Affairs — Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Resources
https://www.bia.gov/service/nagpra
(Directly relates to Tribal authority over cultural items, ancestral remains, and repatriation efforts.)
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation — Native American Affairs
https://www.achp.gov/preservation-legislation
(Supports discussion of Tribal involvement in historic preservation and federal decision-making.)

09/18/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 - 𝐀𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥 | 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲
➡️Today we recognize Aidan Graybill on her 4th work anniversary with Peebles Bergin.
Since joining the firm's Denver office in September 2022, Aidan has brought exceptional depth and personal commitment to her practice in federal Indian law. A member of the Wyandot Nation of Kansas, Aidan holds both a J.D. and a Master of Arts in Indigenous Studies from the University of Kansas, a foundation that informs everything she does on behalf of the Tribal Nations she serves.

Prior to joining Peebles Bergin, Aidan served as an Affirmative Litigation Fellow for the Navajo Nation Department of Justice, where she assisted in state, federal, and Supreme Court litigation. Her dedication to Indian Country is both professional and deeply personal.

Thank you, Aidan, for four years of outstanding service to Tribal Nations and to this firm. To learn more about Aidan, visit https://www.ndnlaw.com/team-members/aidan-graybill

Peebles Bergin continues to support the sovereignty and resilience celebrated today.
Learn more about our team and mission: https://www.ndnlaw.com/our-people

09/16/2026

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐭𝐲: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
➡️Economic sovereignty is a cornerstone of Tribal self-determination.

Across Indian Country, Tribal Nations are expanding economic opportunities through entrepreneurship, strategic partnerships, infrastructure investments, and community-driven development initiatives.

From business formation and regulatory matters to agreements that support long-term growth, Tribal Nations continue to use economic development as a tool to strengthen communities and create opportunities for future generations.

Peebles Bergin works alongside Tribal governments and Tribal enterprises to navigate complex legal landscapes while supporting sovereign decision-making.

Learn how Peebles Bergin supports Tribal Nations in advancing economic sovereignty and sustainable growth: https://www.ndnlaw.com/

References:
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) — Economic Development & Commerce
https://www.ncai.org/section/policy/portfolios/economic-development-and-commerce
(Directly supports Tribal economic sovereignty, Tribal enterprises, workforce development, and economic growth initiatives.)
U.S. Department of the Interior — Office of Indian Economic Development
https://www.bia.gov/bia/ots/descrm/tcr
(Provides information on federal programs supporting Tribal economic development.)

09/15/2026

Work Anniversary - Peter Lepsch | Partner
A decade of dedicated service, today we celebrate Peter D. Lepsch on his 10th work anniversary with Peebles Bergin.

Since joining the firm in 2016, Peter has served as Partner-in-Charge of the Washington D.C. office, bringing over two decades of experience in administrative law, litigation, and governmental affairs to his representation of Tribal Nations. His work spans all aspects of tribal governance and sovereignty, including:

✔️Federal relations and regulatory compliance
✔️Congressional and federal agency advocacy
✔️Tribal enterprises and membership matters
✔️State-tribal-federal jurisdictional issues

Peter's multidisciplinary background in international affairs and foreign policy brings a unique and powerful perspective to the complex challenges Tribal Nations face every day.

Ten years of tireless advocacy for Indian Country, thank you, Peter. To learn more about Peter, visit https://www.ndnlaw.com/team-members/peter-d-lepsch

Peebles Bergin continues to support the sovereignty and resilience of Tribal Nations nationwide.
Learn more about our team and mission: https://www.ndnlaw.com/our-people