Native American Law 101

James T. Meggesto, Esq. | Holland & Knight

James is an attorney based in Holland & Knight’s Washington, D.C., office, and leader of the Native American Law Team. He focuses his practice on legal matters involving Native American tribes, including issues involving policy and regulation, public law, tribal sovereignty, gaming and compact negotiation, project development, energy and natural resources, finance, and litigation.

Mr. Meggesto began his career in Native American affairs in Washington, D.C., more than 25 years ago as a staff professional at the National Congress of American Indians, focusing on intergovernmental affairs, including the first-ever White House meeting between the president and tribal leaders from all federally recognized Indian tribes. He has spent his entire legal career in Washington, D.C., practicing federal Indian law and representing Indian tribes and entities in innovative and groundbreaking matters. In his role as the leader of the Native American practice at Holland & Knight, he ensures that clients are provided with the full range of legal services needed in Indian Country from the platform of a full-service international law firm.

Throughout his career, Mr. Meggesto has been devoted to the exclusive representation of Indian tribes, tribal governmental entities and economic ventures that do business with Indian tribes. Mr. Meggesto represents Indian tribes and tribal interests nationwide and in federal, state and tribal courts as well as before Congress and federal agencies. He has argued cases in several federal district courts, multiple circuit courts of appeals and has second-chaired two Indian law cases before the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Meggesto has also argued cases in several tribal courts. Typical tribal representations involve complex litigation and transactional matters, such as gaming laws, land-into-trust matters, economic development initiatives and federal treaty rights litigation.

In addition, Mr. Meggesto is a frequent speaker on Native American topics and is the author of a chapter in the book Emerging Issues in Tribal-State Relations, 2014 edition.
Mr. Meggesto was provided a high honor by the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska by being made an honorary member of the tribe as of November 2018.

I. History and Development of Native American Law | 2:00-2:20
II. Jurisdiction | 2:20-2:40
III. Taxation | 2:40-3:00

IV. Break | 3:00-3:10

V. Indian Gaming | 3:10-3:30
VI. Natural Resources | 3:30-3:50
VII. Economic Development | 3:50-4:10