Jeff focuses his practice on a variety of matters affecting tribes in Michigan and nationwide, including treaty rights, taxation, gaming, and economic development. He has been involved in numerous federal trials and has briefed and argued a multitude of cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Jeff, who is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, worked with the U.S. Attorney and his staff to maintain an effective government-to-government relationship with each sovereign nation, including assisting the tribes in the improvement of their law enforcement and judicial systems. In addition, Jeff worked on a variety of federal, state, and tribal matters that resulted in working agreements between the three sovereigns.

Notably, Jeff spent more than 20 years as an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Michigan. As assistant U.S. Attorney, he served as a tribal liaison to 11 federally recognized tribes in the Western District of Michigan.

Prior to his time in public service, Jeff was an attorney in private practice. He also taught federal Indian law as an adjunct professor at Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Practices

• Construction
• Litigation
• Native American Law and Policy
• White Collar and Investigations