Former Acting Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry Roberts Joins Firm

WASHINGTON, DC (April 25) – Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton announced today the addition of Lawrence “Larry” Roberts to the firm's Litigation Department in the Washington, DC office. Mr. Roberts is joining as Counsel in the firm’s nationally recognized Native American Affairs Team. Mr. Roberts' addition continues the firm’s expansion of the Native American Affairs Team with the recent additions of Keith Harper and Stephen Anstey.

"Larry brings the combination of a talented Federal Indian law attorney with high-level governmental experience to assist clients in furthering tribal self-determination and self-governance," says Catherine Munson, Co-Team Leader of the Native American Affairs Team and Managing Partner of the Washington, DC office. "Larry’s public service and close work with tribal leaders to advance meaningful change in Indian Country will enhance the team’s already strong capabilities to assist tribal communities.”

"I am delighted to be a part of Kilpatrick Townsend's Native American Affairs Team," says Larry Roberts. "I had the privilege of working with members of the team in the Obama Administration to advance the Nation-to-Nation relationship and have seen first-hand the phenomenal work that they do. This firm is unwavering in its commitment to protecting tribal sovereignty. When Tribes face significant litigation or regulatory issues, I look forward to being part of the firm’s team to proactively advance tribal rights for current and future generations."

Most recently, Mr. Roberts served in several high-level positions in the Obama Administration. Since the previous Assistant Secretary’s departure at the end of 2015, he led Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior, serving as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs and the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary. In these roles, he oversaw approximately 8,000 employees with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, the Office of Indian Gaming, the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development and all offices that report to the Office of the Assistant Secretary. Prior to serving as the Acting Assistant Secretary, Mr. Roberts served in other Indian Affairs senior leadership positions since 2012, including the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development.

Prior to his appointment to Interior, Mr. Roberts served as the General Counsel of the National Indian Gaming Commission. In serving as the chief legal officer, he advised the Chairwoman and Commissioners on all matters before the Commission, including: litigation, enforcement actions, Commission decisions, and the adoption of Commission rules and policies.

In addition to his six years of service during the Obama Administration, he previously served as an attorney at the EPA and began his legal career as a Trial Attorney in the Indian Resources Section of the United States Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division. As a Trial Attorney, Mr. Roberts was responsibility for a diverse caseload, including: treaty reserved rights to hunt and fish, the restoration of tribal lands, defense of tribal water quality standards pursuant to the Clean Water Act, and tribal water rights.

Mr. Roberts earned his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School. He received his B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Mr. Roberts is a citizen of the Oneida Nation.

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