Brian Pierson leads Godfrey & Kahn's Indian Nations Law Team. Brian clerked for federal district judge Myron L. Gordon before entering private practice. Brian has more than 20 years experience representing Indian tribes, beginning with his successful representation of Chippewa Indians in federal court litigation to prevent racially-motivated interference with treaty-reserved, off-reservation fishing rights.
As leader of the firm's Indian Nations team, Brian's primary objective is to draw on the knowledge and experience of G&K's attorneys to assist tribes in formulating and implementing strategies that strengthen tribal sovereignty, with a particular focus on business development, environmental protection, renewable energy and housing development. Brian also frequently advises tribes on tribal constitutional, ordinance and governance matters. Brian has worked on Indian land title records reform with the National Congress of American Indians and leasing reform with the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC). A frequent conference speaker and author on Indian law issues, Brian's 2010 articles on Indian country housing development and the Indian Nonintercourse Act were published in the American Bar Association's Affordable Housing Journal and the Federal Lawyer Magazine, respectively. He is the author of the NAIHC's Indian Country Housing Development Handbook.
More Legal and Business Bylines From Brian L. Pierson
- Bureau of Indian Affairs Publishes Proposed Amendments to Rules Governing Rights of Way - (Posted On Monday, July 14, 2014)
- The Supreme Court Decides Bay Mills Case, Leaves Tribal Sovereign Immunity Intact - (Posted On Tuesday, May 27, 2014)
- Ninth Circuit Big Lagoon Decision Puts Fee to Trust Acquisitions in Doubt - (Posted On Thursday, February 20, 2014)
- Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument in Bay Mills Case: Indian Nations Law Update - December 2013 - (Posted On Tuesday, December 24, 2013)
- Why Not Pass a HEARTH Act for Rights of Way? Re: Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act - (Posted On Thursday, November 14, 2013)
- Utilizing Renewable Energy Tax Incentives to Make Your Tribal Energy Projects a Reality - (Posted On Friday, October 04, 2013)
- Ninth Circuit Decides Important Tax Case in Tribe's Favor - (Posted On Monday, August 12, 2013)
- Supreme Court Will Hear Bay Mills v. Michigan Next Term - (Posted On Wednesday, July 17, 2013)
- Supreme Court Decides Indian Child Welfare Act Case - (Posted On Tuesday, July 16, 2013)
- Indian Nations Law Update - June 2013 - (Posted On Saturday, June 15, 2013)
Brian L. Pierson is a shareholder with Godfrey Kahn, and is the leader of their Indian Nations Law Team. He was chosen as a 2019 National Law Review Go-To Thought Leader for his analysis of Tribal law litigation, and he provides Review readers with a monthly overview of litigation impacting the tribal and reservation landscape. Mr. Pierson has years of experience in this area, and his analysis reflects the depth of his knowledge.
The National Law Review recognizes John L. Clancy , Brian L. Pierson and Todd M. Cleary of Godfrey and Kahn law firm's Indian Nations Practice Group as 2021 Go-To Thought leaders for their insights on lawsuits and regulatory actions in their monthly Tribal Law updates. Analyzing legal development in diverse areas impacting tribal members ranging from the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) to Tribal sovereign immunity rights, the talented professionals in Godfrey & Kahn's Indian Nations Practice Group break down the nuances of federal Indian and tribal law, into usable and actionable news.