PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Morisset, Schlosser, Jozwiak, & Somerville, Seattle, Washington                                                         Nov. 1979 – Present

Of Counsel, Previous Director

Comprehensive representation of Indian tribal governments and tribal enterprises on issues of natural and cultural resource protection, tribal treaty rights, water rights, jurisdictional issues, protection of tribal sovereignty, the federal trust responsibility, tribal economic development, and general litigation in federal, state, and tribal courts.

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Frank has practiced federal Indian law exclusively for 40 years, including eight years as reservation attorney for the Makah Indian Tribe at Neah Bay, Washington.  His practice covers all aspects of Indian law, tribal self-governance and sovereignty, including tribal governmental infrastructure, contracting, economic development, project financing, housing, gaming, employment and labor law, taxation, personnel matters, Indian child welfare, cultural resource protection, and treaty rights protection.  Frank has substantial experience drafting tribal codes, constitutions, ordinances, and personnel policy manuals.  Frank has drafted and revised comprehensive law and order codes, drug and alcohol codes and personnel policy manuals for tribal governments, tribal enterprises and tribal casinos. 

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A substantial portion of Frank's practice involves advising tribal governments and economic enterprises on a wide range of regulatory, tax, personnel and employment, and contracting matters, and environmental and cultural resource litigation and claims against the United States on behalf of tribal clients.  Frank has extensive experience drafting tribal codes, laws and regulations, including analysis and revisions to tribal constitutions.  He has represented tribal clients before numerous federal, state, and tribal courts throughout the United States.

EDUCATION

Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane, Washington                                                                                                                          1979

            J.D. Degree 

            Graduated Cum Laude

California State University                                                                                                                                                                              1972

            B.A. Political Science, History, Economics

            Graduated Cum Laude

BAR ADMISSIONS

Federal Courts

            United States Supreme Court

            United States Tax Court

            United States Court of Federal Claims

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U.S. District Courts

            U.S. District Court for Western District of Washington

            U.S. District Court for Northern District of California

            U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Michigan

            U.S. District Court for Western District of Michigan

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U.S. Appellate Courts

            Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals          

            Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

            Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

            Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

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Tribal Courts

           Makah Tribal Court

           Tribal Court of the Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS / PRESENTATIONS

Best Interests of the Indian Child

          Co-author with R. Cutler, First Annual Washington State Indian Child Welfare Summit, (May 25, 2004) 

Workshop: Indian Children and the Law

          Written materials coauthored with K. McGaw and R. Cutler (June 18-19, 2003)

Court Opinions Update: Inter-Tribal Timber Council

          Albuquerque New Mexico (2000)

Court Opinions Update: National Intertribal Tax Alliance, Tax Litigation Update

          Albuquerque, New Mexico (2011)

Search and Seizure Manual

          Tribal Law Enforcement and training (2016)

AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS

Washington State Bar Association, Indian Law Section

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National Indian Child Welfare Association

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Inter-Tribal Timber Council