On February 29, 2024, the Ninth Circuit issued its opinion in Lexington Insurance Co. v. Smith (Suquamish Tribe). The Court affirmed the tribal court’s subject-matter jurisdiction over Lexington pursuant to the Tribe’s...more
• In a decision favorable to tribal sovereignty, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that the tribal court of the Cedarville Rancheria of Northern Paiute Indians (the Tribe) had jurisdiction over claims...more
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled yesterday that tribal sovereign immunity does not apply to employees who are sued in their individual capacities, even if the alleged wrongdoing occurs while the employee is acting...more