OurTeam

An enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Vanya has practiced Indian law for over 30 years, representing tribal governments and their business partners. Vanya is an experienced litigator in federal, state, and tribal courts, and has successfully served as lead counsel in multi-million-dollar litigation and arbitration matters over key aspects of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. She also successfully argued a Tribal treaty-rights case before the 7th Circuit for four Wisconsin tribes that precludes Wisconsin from imposing property taxes on certain tribal lands and was on the team that led the 7th Circuit to uphold the Oneida Nation’s reservation boundaries. Vanya also won an important victory in the South Dakota Supreme Court that stopped South Dakota from imposing its motor-fuel taxes on Indian reservations, and successfully argued key motions in federal treaty litigation for the Saginaw Chippewa.

Aaron Harkins represents both Indian tribes and financial institutions in connection with bond offerings, bank loans and other financing transactions.

Andrew Adams III is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and member of the TvlahasseWvkokaye Ceremonial Grounds. Andrew has experience in the areas of federal Indian law, tribal constitutional law, tribal governance, litigation, gaming law, complex financial transactions, tax issues related to Tribal governments and individual tribal members, business law, employment law, treaty hunting, fishing, and gathering law, and government relations.

Rebekah began her twenty year legal career at a multinational law firm representing clients in all states of the land planning, permitting and legal entitlement process. Rebekah is an experienced land use, environmental and real estate attorney that successfully blended her development practice with Federal Indian law to provide tribes with a breadth of experience ranging from land into trust matters, tribal housing issues, gaming and economic development, contract negotiations, legislative affairs and tribal operations.  She has a deep understanding of Indian lands, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Natural Environmental Policy Act and the Natural Historic Preservation Act.

Samantha represents tribal governments, agencies, and entities while fighting to protect their rights and interests in tribal, state, administrative, and federal courts. She has experience in the areas of jurisdictional disputes, land tenure, tribal sovereign immunity, environmental law and regulations, child and adult welfare, gaming, and drafting tribal code. Samantha prides herself on being a passionate and adaptable advocate for her clients throughout all stages of litigation.

Ellen graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 2022 and received a certificate in Native American Law and Sovereignty. As a student, she competed in the National Native American Law Student Association Moot Court, participated in the Tribal Code Drafting Clinic, and served as secretary of the Mitchell Hamline Native American Law Student Association and co-president of Out!Law, the LGBTQ+ student association. She worked as a research assistant in the Sex Offense Litigation and Policy Resource Center at Mitchell Hamline and as a law clerk in the Child Support Division at the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. After graduating, she clerked for the Honorable Sarah I. Wheelock of the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Alexis graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 2024. During law school, she interned for the Alaska Department of Law, California Air Resources Board,  Department of Justice, and Department of the Interior. She served on the board for the Environmental Law Society and completed independent research on issues pertaining to Alaska Native Villages.

Leah Sixkiller closes finance transactions for Indian tribes, banking and financial institutions, and developers. She is a deal lawyer who also represents clients in mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance.

Diana brings many years of practical experience to her role as a Paralegal for Hogen Adams. In addition to maintaining office operations, she assists the attorneys throughout all phases of litigation, from inception through appeals.