Team

Leah R. Sixkiller

Of Counsel

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.

Indian Country Financing Transactions
Leah’s experience includes bond offerings, and taxable and tax-exempt loans and transactions involving development, construction, expansion and refinancing of casinos, hotels, government buildings and other projects. While negotiating financing transactions in Indian Country, Leah navigates relationships with the National Indian Gaming Commission, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Special Trustee and other regulatory bodies.

Tribal Gaming Laws
Leah advises clients on matters involving gaming laws, and she frequently counsels tribal gaming regulators on compliance, rulemaking and other regulatory matters.

Mergers & Acquisitions
Leah represents parties in the acquisition and sale of companies or businesses. as a trusted advisor to companies, she is adept at bringing her skills to bear across industries and sectors.

Tribal Law Background
Leah serves as a judge for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Tribal Court. She holds a certificate of Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. Leah is a citizen of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians.

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Court

Education

  • University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
    J.D. Dean’s List, College of Law Achievement Award (2010)
  • Harvard University B.A. (2007)

Honors

  • Best Lawyers®
    — “Ones to Watch,” Banking and Finance Law; Native American Law, 2021, 2023
  • The Secured Lender – Women in Secured Finance, 2020

Professional Associations

  • National Native American Bar Association
  • Minnesota American Indian Bar Association

Civic Activities

  • Harvard Club of Minnesota
  • Native American Alumni of Harvard University
  • Breck School Board of Trustees, Member

Insights

Treasury Waives Main Street Lending Program Restriction on Capital Distributions for Tribal Business Concerns

Creek Nation Affirmed: Supreme Court Maintains Congress Must Clearly Express Intent to Disestablish a Reservation

Key Takeaways for Indian Country From the Coronavirus Relief Package

The Pressure Is on for Tribal Gaming Regulators to Close Tribal Casinos: Recent NIGC Guidance Regarding COVID-19

Recent Federal Updates for Tribal Gaming Regulatory Authorities

Tribal Workers May Face More Suits After Indemnity Ruling

Leah Sixkiller Dishes Advice to Young Native American Lawyers in Law360

Events

Other Insights and Events

  • Creating a Tribally-Centered RFP for Financial Services Native American Finance Officers Association Conference, Tulsa, October 2017
  • Contract Support Roundtable Native American Finance Officers Association Conference, New Orleans, April 2014
  • Women in Indian Law Panel William Mitchell College of Law, 2013
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