David House

Of Counsel Attorney

Mr. House’s practice focuses on federal Indian law and the representation of tribal clients. Mr. House works with the firm as an “of counsel.” Mr. House believes that tribal self-determination is largely achieved through the day-to-day process of implementing the inherent right of tribal sovereignty. Mr. House is committed to working with clients to strengthen tribal nations and communities.

Mr. House’s experience includes working with tribes on a range of transactional and governmental matters, such as fee-to-trust applications; negotiating, reviewing, and drafting agreements, leases, MOUs, and rights-of-way; advising tribes, tribal boards, tribal businesses, and tribal governmental entities; preparing tribal codes, policies, and resolutions; developing tribal corporate and departmental organizational documents; and interfacing and negotiating with federal agencies. His experience also includes working on federal, state, and tribal cases – and appearances in tribal courts.

Mr. House enjoys speaking and writing on Indian law. Mr. House has presented at legal education conferences on topics including tribal sovereignty, sovereign immunity, tribal inherent and delegated powers, and tribal authority relating to federal environmental laws. He has also guest lectured at universities, presented at various Indian law and policy conferences, and published articles pertaining to various aspects of Indian law.

Mr. House believes that early childhood living experiences on the Navajo Reservation spurred a life-long interest in indigenous peoples and cultures. Among other ways, Mr. House pursued this interest through teaching and living in South America and interning on the Yankton Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. Mr. House has benefitted professionally and personally from opportunities to spend significant time in Indian country.

Mr. House previously served as a staff attorney for California Indian Legal Services (in Eureka, CA) and as an attorney for law firms in California and on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana. He holds a law degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and a master’s degree from Columbia University in New York. Mr. House is a member of the state bars of California and Montana.