Treaties & Fish: A Precious Resource, A Solemn Promise, and the Challenges of Litigation

Thursday, June 8 • 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. ET

The Pepper Center for Public Service is pleased to invite you to attend the second in a series of programs exploring legal, historical, and policy issues relating to the United States’ relationship with American Indians. Our first talk in the series, an introduction to American Indian Nations’ sovereignty and jurisdiction in Indian Country, was held on May 1, 2023. 

Our second talk, scheduled for June 8, 2023 at noon, will explore some of the legal issues involving U.S. treaties with American Indian Nations. We will use, as a case study, the landmark case involving disputes over American Indian fishing rights in the Pacific Northwest that pitted the U.S. and affected American Indian Nations against the State of Washington, and led to the 1974 “Boldt Decision.” Our principal presenter will be Stuart Pierson, a former Troutman partner who, as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, led the federal government’s legal team in that case and who remains connected to the tribes and their continuing fishing rights controversies.

We are also pleased to announce that two principals of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, Joseph Peters (NWIFC Treasurer and Squaxin Island Natural Resources Policy Representative) and Rob Jones (NWIFC Fisheries Policy Analyst) will join us to share remarks and provide an update on the current state of American Indian fishing rights in the Pacific Northwest.

CLE credit will be offered for this session. This program is approved for MCLE credit for California, Illinois, New Jersey (through reciprocity), and New York (newly admitted and experienced). Troutman Pepper will automatically seek credit in the states where we have office locations unless state restrictions apply. Credit for other jurisdictions may be available upon request. For those licensed in California, Illinois, New Jersey, and/or New York, certificates will be distributed within 30 business days. If you have any questions about CLE credits, please email CLEManagement@troutman.com.