Susan Montgomery is a founding partner of Montgomery & Interpreter, PLC. Her practice focuses on Indian law, water law, natural resources litigation, environmental law and Indian gaming law.
Ms. Montgomery represents Tribal governments, departments, and enterprises as they strive to assert Tribal sovereignty, protect Tribal resources, and to preserve Tribal culture. She also provides legal advice to businesses and communities who have interests in interfacing with Tribal governments and communities in Arizona and South Dakota.
Other Professional Experience
Counsel to the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Yavapai-Apache Nation in Arizona’s Gila River General Stream Adjudication.
Special Legal Counsel to the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., and other federally recognized Indian Tribes in Arizona on a wide variety of Indian law matters and general counsel needs.
Provides strategic advice to Tribal clients related to Tribal economic development projects as well as for federal and state legislative and regulatory matters related to the protection of Tribal resources, sacred sites and cultural properties.
Serves as an advocate and registered lobbyist in Washington, D.C., working with members of Congress and various federal departments, agencies and bureaus, including the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Successfully negotiated Intergovernmental Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding between federally recognized Tribal clients and local, state, county and city governments on a variety of client matters, including intergovernmental relations, water and wastewater, law enforcement and mutual aid.
Litigates on behalf of Tribal clients on the role of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in Indian Country and the application and use of NEPA, the NHPA and other federal laws in order to protect and preserve Tribal interests.
Provides legal advice to Tribal Gaming Offices in their role under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and State and Tribal Gaming Compacts as the civil regulator of gaming activity on Tribal lands to ensure compliance with the requirements of the law.
Served three years as a federal law clerk to the Honorable Richard Battey in the Federal District Court for the District of South Dakota (1998-2001).
Related Practice Areas
Federal Indian Law and Tribal Law
Water Law
Indian Gaming Law
Cultural Resources Protection and Historic Preservation
