OurTeam

An enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Vanya has practiced Indian law for over 30 years, representing tribal governments and their business partners. Vanya is an experienced litigator in federal, state, and tribal courts, and has successfully served as lead counsel in multi-million-dollar litigation and arbitration matters over key aspects of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. She also successfully argued a Tribal treaty-rights case before the 7th Circuit for four Wisconsin tribes that precludes Wisconsin from imposing property taxes on certain tribal lands and was on the team that led the 7th Circuit to uphold the Oneida Nation’s reservation boundaries. Vanya also won an important victory in the South Dakota Supreme Court that stopped South Dakota from imposing its motor-fuel taxes on Indian reservations, and successfully argued key motions in federal treaty litigation for the Saginaw Chippewa.

Aaron Harkins represents both Indian tribes and financial institutions in connection with bond offerings, bank loans and other financing transactions.

Andrew Adams III is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and member of the TvlahasseWvkokaye Ceremonial Grounds. Andrew has experience in the areas of federal Indian law, tribal constitutional law, tribal governance, litigation, gaming law, complex financial transactions, tax issues related to Tribal governments and individual tribal members, business law, employment law, treaty hunting, fishing, and gathering law, and government relations.

Samantha represents tribal governments, agencies, and entities while fighting to protect their rights and interests in tribal, state, administrative, and federal courts. She has experience in the areas of jurisdictional disputes, land tenure, tribal sovereign immunity, environmental law and regulations, child and adult welfare, gaming, and drafting tribal code. Samantha prides herself on being a passionate and adaptable advocate for her clients throughout all stages of litigation.

Lorenzo is an enrolled member of the Fort Sill Chiricahua Warm Springs Apache Tribe. Lorenzo has experience helping tribes recover fraudulently spent gaming funds and asserting tribal sovereign immunity. Lorenzo also represents tribal clients in child-welfare matters.

Ellen graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 2022 and received a certificate in Native American Law and Sovereignty. As a student, she competed in the National Native American Law Student Association Moot Court, participated in the Tribal Code Drafting Clinic, and served as secretary of the Mitchell Hamline Native American Law Student Association and co-president of Out!Law, the LGBTQ+ student association. She worked as a research assistant in the Sex Offense Litigation and Policy Resource Center at Mitchell Hamline and as a law clerk in the Child Support Division at the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. After graduating, she clerked for the Honorable Sarah I. Wheelock of the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

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.

Diana brings many years of practical experience to her role as a Paralegal for Hogen Adams. In addition to maintaining office operations, she assists the attorneys throughout all phases of litigation, from inception through appeals.

Alexandrah Walker is an enrolled member of the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa (Meskwaki Nation). Alexandrah grew up on the Meskwaki Settlement in Tama, Iowa before moving to Minneapolis in 2015. In the spring of 2019, Alexandrah graduated from the University of Minnesota with her Bachelor of Arts in American Indian Studies.