general counsel services
Navigating the complexities associated with the unique legal status of Indian tribes requires specialized expertise. Even more so when it comes to general counsel services, where sage legal counsel requires not only expertise in Indian law, but an intimate familiarity with financial, business and governmental issues that are unique to Indian Country. Scott Wheat, founder and owner of Wheat Law Offices, is well into his third decade representing Indian tribes in an array of legal matters. Scott has served tribes as in house counsel, tribal prosecutor, judge, appellate justice, outside litigation counsel, and general counsel. Wheat Law Office provides general counsel services to the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians.
Gaming
Over the course of his career, Scott has represented tribes throughout the United States in a wide variety of gaming issues: from providing advice on operational and regulatory issues for multiple facilities of multiple sizes in several states, to gaming compact negotiations and related litigation, to controversial “off reservation” gaming applications. Scott is among a handful of tribal attorneys in practice that has such broad, tribal gaming related experience in multiple states.
Cultural & Natural Resource Protection
As an Indian owned law firm, we inherently understand that our connections to our cultural patrimony and our aboriginal homelands are core to our identify and existence as Indigenous people. While all of our work is important, we see gaming, taxation and economic development as tools to empower Indian country to protect and nourish these core elements of what it means to be Indigenous. Our lawyers have a deep well of experience in representing tribal cultural and natural resources in local, state and federal permitting actions. The firm is currently involved in several such efforts, including permitting matters related to the proposed multibillion dollar liquified natural gas export facility in Coos Bay Oregon.
Taxation
Scott has broad experience in litigation and negotiations related to tribal immunities from state and local taxation. Scott served as the lead lawyer in negotiation of cigarette and motor fuels tax agreements between the Spokane Tribe and the State of Washington, and the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe and the State of Washington. Scott also advises tribes in the complex area of federal, state and tribal cigarette taxation and regulation and the Master Settlement Agreement between 46 states and big tobacco. The firm also advises tribal clients on matters related to state cannabis taxation and state tribal cannabis compacts.
Economic Development
The firm regularly advises tribes in commercial transactions, including complex financings for multi-million dollar developments. The firm is also experienced in assisting tribes in constructing large projects, including casinos, hotels, and governmental facilities. Finally, the firm regularly provides advice on operational business matters for a variety of tribal economic enterprises, from Class III gaming operations to fuel stations and convenience stores, to water testing labs.