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.
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.
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.