The Dorsay & Easton Team
Kathleen (Katie) Gargan, Attorney
Meet Katie Gargan
Katie has worked on tribal law and policy issues in the Northwest for several years, specializing in the federal trust relationship with tribes, treaty fishing rights, and federal recognition. She currently assists in representing tribes regarding treaty rights, economic development, and tribal code development, among other issues.
Katie is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.
Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon
J.D., May 2019, cum laude
Activities:
- Member, Cornelius Honor Society
- President, 2017-2018 Native American Law Student Association (NALSA)
- Member, 2018 National NALSA Moot Court Team
- Fellow, 2017 Lezak Legacy Public Interest Fellowship
Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
B.A. in Social Science/Indigenous Nations Studies, June 2013, magna cum laude
Activities:
- Coordinator, United Indigenous Students in Higher Education
- Member, Native American Student and Community Center Advisory Board
- Member, Students for Sustainability Leadership Council
- Oregon State Bar Association
- Washington State Bar Association
State:
- Oregon
- Washington
Tribal:
- Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
- Skokomish Indian Tribe
Federal:
- Federal District Court for Oregon
- Federal District Court for Western Washington
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Dorsay & Easton LLP, Portland, Oregon
Associate Attorney
September 2017 – present
Responsibilities include
- Providing legal research and writing litigation support regarding various issues concerning tribes in the Pacific Northwest, including the fee-to-trust process, tribal-state compacting, and state administrative agency processes.
- Assisting in drafting tribal codes and regulations and presenting draft regulations to tribal councils.
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Portland, Oregon
Intern, Policy Development and Litigation Support
October 2016 – April 2018
Responsible for
- Providing research support for legal and policy staff members on various issues affecting treaty fishing rights.
- Organizing and maintaining legal and policy research files, update treaty fishing rights case compilation
Chinook Indian Nation, Bay Center, Washington
Law Clerk
Summer 2017
Responsibilities included
- Providing extensive legal research litigation support regarding treaties, federal acknowledgement, and congressional appropriation.
- Assisting in writing a federal complaint for a declaratory judgment of federal recognition and constructive treaty ratification, filed August 2017.
District Office of Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Portland, Oregon
Staff Assistant
July 2015 – July 2016
Duties included
- Serving as tribal liaison, providing legislation and policy analysis on issues affecting Oregon tribes, tribal members, and tribal organizations.
- Working with federal agencies to provide constituent support in the areas of education, healthcare, and housing.
- General office administrative duties, including organization of the district Congressional Arts Competition, as well as selecting and supervising office interns.
Rizzo Mattingly Bosworth P.C., Portland, Oregon
Paralegal
December 2013 – July 2015
- Captain, Jammin’ Salmon Dragon Boat Team
- Treasurer, Oregon State Bar Indian Law Section
- Mentor, American Indian Graduate Center Rising Native Graduates
- Mentor, Portland State University Explore the Law
1737 NE Alberta St, Ste 208
Portland, OR 97211
Phone: (503) 790-9060