Partner

Brian Gunn is a partner and a member of the Indian Tribal Governments Team and represents tribal clients on a wide variety of federal Indian law and policy issues, with an emphasis on legislative and regulatory matters before the U.S. Congress and federal agencies.  Brian specializes in matters related to the federal budget and appropriations process, energy development and natural resources, tribal homeland and border security, taxation, and Indian health. Brian also works closely with federal agencies and national and regional Indian organizations on policy and legal issues related to the federal government’s administration of tribal trust funds and trust resources.  Brian also speaks regularly at regional and national conferences on issues relating to federal appropriations and other federal legislative developments affecting Indian tribes.

In addition to legislative and executive branch activities, Brian's practice also includes a substantial litigation component, including experience representing both Indian tribes and tribal businesses in suits against the United States, state governments and private persons and entities.  These cases have included actions to enjoin state attempts to collect motor fuel and cigarette taxes in Indian country, defending tribal entities and tribal educational institutions against unfair labor practice charges, and litigation relating to the federal acknowledgement process.  Brian currently serves as lead counsel in three tribal trust related lawsuits in federal courts.

In General.  Brian received his bachelor's degree from Washington State University and his J.D. degree from the University of Washington School of Law, and is admitted to practice in the courts of the District of Columbia, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and U.S. Court of Federal Claims.  Prior to joining the firm, he was an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Dorsey & Whitney LLP.

Brian is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and worked as a consultant on state tax issues for the Colville Tribes prior to entering the legal profession.