austin R. Vance

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Indian law

Advocating for Tribal Sovereignty

You can trust All Rise! Attorneys with Indian Country issues—because we’re from Indian Country. Our attorneys include tribal members, tribal court judges, and experienced advocates who have represented clients on reservations across Oklahoma, and beyond. We know tribal law because we live and breathe it. We’ve written tribal codes, argued before tribal councils and courts, and defended sovereignty in every forum that matters.

At All Rise!, we provide dedicated advocacy for tribal nations, protecting their sovereignty, advancing Native rights overall, and achieving meaningful outcomes in tribal, state, and federal courts. Our deep expertise in Indian law positions us to handle complex issues impacting tribal communities effectively with respect to the customs and traditions of each tribal nation.

Understanding Indian Law

Indian Law, sometimes referred to as “Federal Indian Law,” governs the complex legal relationships between tribal nations, the federal government, and states—a field where the stakes are high and the history is rich. The late Browning Pipestem once referred to tribal legal advocates as "briefcase warriors," and for good reason: Indian Law is more than mere legal procedure—it is an ongoing defense of sovereignty, identity, and community. At All Rise!, we carry that legacy forward, representing tribal nations with both reverence for the past and resolve for the future. This area of law often gets confused with tribal law, but they are distinct.

Federal Indian Law refers to the body of U.S. constitutional, statutory, treaty, and case law that defines and regulates the rights and powers of tribal nations and their relationships with federal and state governments. It includes landmark decisions, legislation like the Indian Reorganization Act or the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), as well as treaty enforcement.

Tribal Law, by contrast, consists of the laws, codes, and legal practices adopted by individual tribal nations under their own sovereign authority. Each tribe has the right to govern its internal affairs, adopt its own legal systems, and resolve disputes within its jurisdiction according to its own customs and codes.

Understanding the distinction is critical: Federal Indian Law defines the external bounds of tribal authority and protections, while Tribal Law exercises that authority internally. At All Rise!, we are experienced in both systems and can help navigate how they intersect, overlap, and diverge in real-world practice.



Our Civil Litigation Services



Comprehensive Indian Law Services

At All Rise!, we focus almost exclusively on providing legal services for tribal governments, delivering solutions that reflect both our legal expertise and deep cultural respect. Our firm represents tribal nations in matters that span litigation, governance, economic development, and federal regulatory compliance. We understand that no two tribal nations are the same—our work is customized to reflect each Nation’s laws, customs, and goals.All Rise! handles a wide range of civil disputes with clear, steady guidance and proven courtroom skills. Here’s where we go to work for you:

Governance and Sovereignty
  • Drafting and amending tribal constitutions and codes, supporting tribal elections, and protecting treaty rights through litigation and negotiation.
  • Advising tribes on self-governance initiatives, including ISDEAA contracts and compacts.
  • Drafting legislative tools like resolutions, ordinances, and regulations to advance Nation-specific goals. Supporting implementation of Tribal Employment Rights Ordinances/Acts (TERO).

Tribal-Business and Economic Development
  • Supporting tribally owned business formation and growth, evaluating assets, and forecasting tribal revenues.
  • Advising on Indian gaming operations, compact compliance, and strategic business ventures.
  • Helping tribes navigate infrastructure development for broadband, healthcare, housing, and utilities.
  • Supporting implementation of Tribal Employment Rights Ordinances/Acts (TERO).
  • Advising on tribal employment policy and labor dispute resolution.
Federal funding and compliance
  • Securing and managing federal grants, including IHBG, ARPA/CARES Act, and infrastructure investments.
  • Advising on federal program compliance and state taxation disputes to protect tribal exemptions and financial autonomy.
Indian Child Welfare and Family Law
  • Representing Nations and Tribes in ICWA proceedings in state and tribal courts.
Environmental and Natural Resources
  • Protecting tribal interests in water rights, land use, and natural resource litigation.
  • Supporting NEPA, CERCLA, and land-into-trust compliance and defense.
International and Federal Advocacy
  • Filing formal complaints with international bodies such as the United Nations on behalf of Indigenous rights.Protecting tribal interests in water rights, land use, and natural resource litigation.
  • Representing tribes in complex litigation in federal and state courts, including trust disputes, land recovery, and boarding school accountability.
“Whether it’s land, water, children, or commerce—our lawyers understand the real-world consequences of Indian law and fight for tribal outcomes that endure.”


Our exclusive dedication to Indian law, informed by decades of lived experience in Indian Country, means we don’t just know the law—we help shape it. Our practice is grounded in precedent, strategy, and partnership. Tribes deserve legal counsel that matches their strength and sovereignty, and that’s exactly what All Rise! delivers.

We offer specialized services tailored specifically for tribes, including hands-on representation and counsel in high-stakes, real-world scenarios. For example, our team has assisted tribes in asserting control over natural resources by successfully negotiating resolutions to water access disputes. We have also guided tribal governments through the complexities of developing tribally owned enterprises—helping secure federal grants, vetting business partnerships, and establishing sustainable corporate governance models.

These experiences aren’t hypothetical—they’re grounded in recent work with tribal governments across Oklahoma and the U.S., whether in courtrooms, administrative hearings, or boardrooms. Each service we provide reflects a deep commitment to tribal sovereignty and a proven record of outcomes that matter.

Representative Matters and Testimonials

All Rise! has a proud track record of impactful tribal advocacy. Some of our recent legal engagements include:

  • Representing a tribal nation in asserting sovereign immunity in state court, leading to the dismissal of a multi-million dollar lawsuit.
  • Advising a tribal government through the legal and regulatory aspects of establishing and structuring businesses.
  • Serving as outside general counsel for a tribal court system, providing technical assistance on court procedure reform and judicial ethics training.
  • Guiding multiple tribes through CARES Act and ARPA compliance, helping structure emergency relief programs aligned with both federal mandates and tribal law.
  • Top rated Native American Law attorney in Nichols Hills by SuperLawyers.
“While Austin [Vance] is not an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, his family has a long tradition of community involvement with the Tribe. His Grandfather, Willard Kyrk, and Great Uncle, Dennis Kyrk, are both members of the tribe who have a history of involvement both socially and politically. Austin's Great-grandmother, Zelena Kyrk’s handprint currently rests in the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History in Norman, OK. At the time impression was taken, she was the longest living member of the Tribe.

Austin has shown his commitment to continuing his family's legacy... and I have confidence that he will continue to benefit our Tribal Community far into the future and I expect him to do much more for Indian Country.”

Letter from Governor Eddie Hamilton, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes(July 20, 2015).
“I misjudged Ryan [Sailors] based on his youthful looks. But it does not take long talking to him to understand he knows government contracting—really grants—very well. Over the last year, Ryan has handled several transactions for the Tribal Town involving the State and Federal government and we’ve always been satisfied.”

Testimonial from Chief SamMarshall, Alabama Quassarte Tribal Town (2025).
FAQs About Indian Law

What specific tribal issues can All Rise! address?
We specialize in sovereignty advocacy, ICWA representation, business development, tax strategy, federal grant navigation, and regulatory compliance—all tailored to tribal governments.

Why is specialized representation essential for tribes?
Indian law is a niche field rooted in complex treaties, federal statutes, and centuries of jurisprudence. General legal counsel may miss key arguments that affect jurisdiction, immunity, and funding. All Rise! ensures tribal interests are never overlooked.

Where does All Rise! serve tribal clients?
We represent tribal governments across Oklahoma, Kansas, Michigan and the entire Great Plains region of the United States.

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