Utilizing her background as a former U.S. Department of Justice litigator and her expertise in matters involving tribal interests, Barbara counsels clients on project development, land use issues, and natural resources-related matters. She has experience resolving challenges involving Fifth Amendment takings, historic preservation, environmental justice, federal lands, tribal consultation, gaming, economic development, and insurance coverage.
Barbara worked as a Trial Attorney in the Environment & Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice for more than a decade. She defended the United States against breach of trust, environmental, and Fifth Amendment takings claims and in cases involving tribal recognition, land-into-trust decisions, and water rights. She has experience under the Administrative Procedure Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), the Indian Reorganization Act, the Indian Long Term Leasing Act, and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Previously, Barbara was a staff attorney for the National Indian Gaming Commission, where she worked with Tribes and gaming management companies to ensure compliance with the IGRA.
During law school, Barbara served as a Dean’s Fellow in the legal research and writing program at American University, Washington College of Law, and she later taught as an adjunct instructor in the program. She also authored an article, “Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Plagiarism but were Afraid to Ask,” used as definitive guidance in the program for several years.
