Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP Poised to Bring Prosperity to Indian Country
Lance Morgan, CEO of Ho-Chunk, Inc., the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, is starting a new Tribally-owned law firm.
A former managing partner of a national Indian law firm, Morgan has left that firm to start Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP — focused exclusively on the representation of Tribes and Tribal entities.
Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP will take an innovative and strategic approach focused on the unique needs of Tribal clients in the areas of business development, Tribal governance, natural resources, treaty rights, gaming and litigation. Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP has offices in Omaha and Winnebago, Nebraska and Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, but will represent Tribes and Tribal entities from coast-to-coast and in jurisdictions across the Nation.
“Big Fire Law & Policy Group is named for my grandfather Harold Big Fire, who fought every day of his life to make a future for his family despite tough obstacles. With Big Fire Law & Policy Group, we are bringing the Big Fire spirit to Tribal representation. Tribes continue to face much adversity and our team is ready to fight hard and help build the future of Indian Country,” Mr. Morgan said in a statement.
Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP is 100 percent Native-owned and majority woman-owned. Partners and founders joining Mr. Morgan include Danelle Smith (Winnebago), Sheila Corbine (Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians), Leonika Charging (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation), Nicole Ducheneaux (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe/Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes), and Burton Warrington (Prairie Band Potawatomi/Menominee Tribe). Together, the Big Fire partners bring more than 100 years of experience in Tribal representation to the firm.
Lance Morgan is a nationally known expert in Tribal economic development. In addition to practicing law, Mr. Morgan is President and CEO of Ho-Chunk, Inc., one of the premiere Tribal corporations in the United States and internationally. Mr. Morgan is a 1993 graduate of Harvard Law School.
In 2011, Morgan was selected as a “Champion of Change” by the White House for his work in Tribal economic development. In 2012 he was awarded the Nebraska Builder Award by the University of Nebraska and the keynote speaker for commencement ceremonies. Morgan was also honored with Advocate of the Year Award by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency in 2014.
Morgan will focus his practice on advising other Tribes on creating the legal and corporate infrastructure necessary to build strong Tribal economies. His practice will also include strategic planning and financing for Tribal economic development.
Morgan is the cover subject of Native Business Magazine’s March 2019 infrastructure-focused issue. In the print feature article, Morgan shares with Native Business readers the forethought required to scale economic development on a remote reservation.
