LMWF | Barry W. Brandon, Of Counsel

Barry Brandon is "Of Counsel" to the firm and is a nationally recognized expert on federal Indian law and policy. He provides advice and strategy to federally recognized Indian tribes and private businesses doing business in Indian country on a wide array of issues, including economic development, tribal-state negotiations, financing, crisis management, gaming, and corporate compliance.

Barry’s diverse experience in the field includes both public and private sector experience. Barry is the founder and president of Hvmken Consulting where his clients include an international resort and casino developer and one of the largest manufacturer of gaming machines and equipment in the country. He also provides legal, regulatory and policy advice to businesses seeking to partner with tribes and tribal members and serves as an expert witness in litigation on behalf of large commercial lenders.

Prior to forming Hvmken Consulting, Barry served as Senior Vice-President and General Counsel at Seneca Gaming Corporation. In that position Barry oversaw the legal, compliance and risk management departments of the parent corporation and three operating subsidiaries. The company, head quartered in Niagara Falls, New York, employs over 4000 people and generates over $600 million in annual revenues. Barry was instrumental in creating the Seneca Gaming Corporation while he served as a partner at the international law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. Barry was a founding member of the American Indian Law and Policy Practice Group at the firm, which was recently rated by Chambers USA as the top Native American law practice in the country.

Prior to entering the private practice, Barry held several high level positions within the federal government. He served as the general counsel and then chief of staff at the National Indian Gaming Commission, the federal regulatory agency responsible for the oversight of the $26 billion a year American Indian gaming industry. Before that he worked within the Secretary’s Office at the United States Department of the Interior as an advisor on federal Indian law and policy. He also spent 3 years as a Senior Trial Attorney at the United States Department of Justice where he litigated complex cases on behalf of the United States and for the benefit of American Indian tribes.

Of Counsel
Tel: 716-853-5100
Fax: 716-853-5199
Email: bbrandon@lippes.com

Education:

University of Washington School of Law (J.D. 1987)
Western Washington University (B.A. 1983)

Admitted to Practice:

State of Washington
District of Columbia

Personal Information:

Barry has served on numerous boards for public and private entities.
He has also spoken numerous times at major universities, professional gatherings and trade shows.
Barry is an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and an non-enrolled adopted member of the Seneca Nation of Indians.