Our free services are possible from due to funding from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Administration, individual tribes, and the Legal Services Corporation.

WHAT IS THE INDIAN LAW PROJECT?

Nevada Legal Services is a private, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services to eligible low-income people and groups.
The Indian Law Project of Nevada Legal Services, based out of the Reno office, represents Nevada’s Native American tribes and their members in a range of issues.

INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATION

Nevada Legal Services also represents tribal members on a case by case basis in a wide range of legal issues both in state and tribal courts across Nevada.
Nevada Legal Services may represent tribal members in the following matters: intervention or transfer of jurisdiction to a tribal court under the Indian Child and Welfare Act; drafting of wills in compliance with the American Indian Probate Reform Act; representation of Defendants in tribal criminal court; civil representation in tribal court; problems with a tribal housing authority or Indian Health Services; protection of your right to religious freedom; re-opening adoption records to learn about your Indian heritage under the Indian Child Welfare Act; repossession of property from a reservation without a tribal court order; garnishment of wages without a tribal court order; and other jurisdictional matters.

TRIBAL REPRESENTATION

Nevada Legal Services can act as the tribal attorney for tribes that meet our group eligibility requirements. In order to qualify for our services, the tribe must be: located in Nevada; lack the funds needed to retain private counsel; and have a membership and leadership primarily composed of individuals who qualify for our services.

NLS can assist eligible tribes as their “in-house” or tribal attorneys in a range of issues including: asserting sovereign immunity; jurisdictional disputes with other governments; intergovernmental agreements and memoranda of understanding; enforcing water rights; BIA contracting issues; tribal constitution and law and order code development and revision; protection of Native American children and tribes through the Indian Child Welfare Act; compliance with Native American Housing and Self Determination Act; public defender services; guidance on tribal court development; assistance and information on how to “opt into” the Tribal Law and Order Act or Violence Against Women Act; contract matters; and the applicability of general federal laws.