Michelle’s practice focused on transactional matters, tribal economic development, and the complexities of various agricultural and land acquisition transactions. A 5th-generation cattle rancher, Michelle brought an especially diverse skillset to the firm providing a broad range of experience in navigating the always-changing issues and opportunities that tribes and tribal agriculture producers experience.

Along with being a key member of the firm’s agricultural practice, Michelle assisted tribal enterprises in corporate code development, structure, and planning. She was also experienced in sovereign models for consumer lending and frequently assisted tribes, banks, and non-bank entities with financing and regulatory matters with Indian law components. She had extensive experience in the nonprofit law sector, counseling nonprofit entities regarding corporate and tax issues, including obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt C3 and C4 status, unrelated business income tax planning and compliance, and risk management issues. 

Before joining the firm, Michelle spent almost a decade as a CEO in her own tribal community, leading that organization’s tangible asset growth and large-scale development projects.