Brendan Keenan is an associate with the firm’s Tribal Nations Practice Group who specializes in natural and cultural resource protection, treaty fishing and hunting rights, and jurisdictional issues. Brendan is an effective advocate for tribal sovereignty who respects his clients’ unique cultures, histories, and prerogatives.

During law school, Brendan interned for DNA People’s Legal Services on the Navajo Nation and for the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. After graduation, Brendan worked as a Staff Attorney for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation’s Office of Legal Counsel, representing the tribe and its enterprises on a wide variety of legal issues. He also worked as an associate for a national law firm, where he provided general counsel services to the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon and its enterprises.

Brendan has significant experience providing legal services to Tribal Nations and tribally-owned businesses. He has advocated for his clients before numerous federal and state agencies, including but not limited to the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Indian Health Service, and the Bonneville Power Administration. He assisted a Tribal Nation client with the formation of a non-profit entity intended to provide education and youth services to the community. Brendan served as counsel of record in litigation involving the Indian Child Welfare Act and a client’s treaty-reserved right to hunt buffalo outside of Yellowstone National Park. He has also drafted, negotiated, and reviewed numerous contracts for tribal business transactions, federal and state funding awards, easements and other land use licenses, and natural and cultural resource protection.

Outside of work, Brendan enjoys camping, hiking, and traveling with his wife, Laura, and their dog Buddy.