Erick J. Giles
Attorney
Erick J. Giles
Attorney
Phone: 207.771.9248 Fax: 207.772.3627 Email: egiles@dwmlaw.com
84 Marginal Way, Suite 600
Portland, ME 04101-2480Assistant: Vanessa Bailey Email: vbailey@dwmlaw.com
About
Erick Giles represents federally-recognized Tribal Nations, Indian families, and non-profit organizations. He concentrates his practice on a wide array of complex legal issues facing tribes, including federal Indian law, treaty rights, Tribal and individual land stewardship, state and federal regulations, commercial contracts, economic development, labor and employment, cannabis and alcohol regulations, and federal recognition. As a LEED-accredited professional with a technical understanding of environmental design, Erick delivers substantial value to his clients on land use and planning legal issues.
Erick brings a wealth of personal experience to his work. He is a citizen of the Mvskoke (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma from the Rekackv (Broken Arrow) Tribal Town and the Katcv (Big Cat/Tiger/Panther) Clan. When he was growing up, Erick’s family fought to keep their Broken Arrow land allotment from being sold and developed.
In his non-profit practice, Erick efficiently advises clients on non-profit organization development and management, and helps them to successfully navigate commercial transactions.
Erick is a recognized thought leader in the Indian law field. In 2016, he authored Indian Law Resource Center, Native Land Law: General Principles of Law Relating to Native Lands and Natural Resources, Lawyers ed. In 2015, he authored Climate Change Adaptation in Indian Country: Tribal Regulation of Reservation Lands and Natural Resources in the William Mitchell Law Review. Prior to joining Drummond Woodsum, Erick worked for the Indian Land Tenure Foundation concentrating on American Indian property rights and tribal economic development.
In his free time, Erick enjoys playing club league lacrosse, and he formerly played for the Haudenosaunee Nationals lacrosse team. He also gives back to the community through many organizations including the National Tribal Land Association, the Intertribal Tax Alliance, and the Haudenosaunee Nationals Development Group.
Education
University of Maine, J.D., 2016
University of Oklahoma, Masters in City Planning and Public Administration, 2005
University of Oklahoma, B.A., Native American Studies, 2002
Representative Clients & Matters
Quapaw Nation
Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, et al., v. Mnuchin, No. 5204 (D.C. Cir. 2020)
Wintu Tribe of Northern California Federal Recognition Petition to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Federal Acknowledgment (2020)
Publications
Indian Law Resource Center, Native Land Law: General Principles of Law Relating to Native Lands and Natural Resources, Lawyers ed., Thomson Reuters (2016)
Recognition
Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” – Native American Law (2022-present)
Chambers & Partners, USA Guide, Nationwide, Native American Law, Up and Coming
Community/Public Service
National Tribal Land Association Board of Directors
Board Member
National Intertribal Tax Alliance
Board Member
Haudenosaunee Nationals Development Group
Chair
South Portland Youth Lacrosse
Coach
Past Presentations
From June 3, 2024 9:00 am
Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) Certification Summit – June
From May 6, 2024 9:00 am
Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) II Certification Summit – May
From June 20, 2023 8:00 am
The Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) Certification Summit – June
From March 7, 2023 8:00 am
The Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) Certification Summit – March (CA)
NNAHRA and Drummond Woodsum have joined forces to provide Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) training to HR Professionals in Indian Country
From January 10, 2023 12:00 pm
Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) Certification VIRTUAL Summit
NNAHRA and Drummond Woodsum have joined forces to take the Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) training virtual.
From November 16, 2022 1:00 pm
The Current State of Cannabis in Indian Country, Indian Gaming Association Mid Year Conference & Expo
From November 7, 2022 11:15 am
Indian Country’s Role in Fighting Climate Change, D.C. Indian Law Conference, Federal Bar Association
From March 28, 2019 9:00 am