Joe’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation defending indigenous rights and litigating tribal environmental and cultural resources disputes in federal, tribal, state, and administrative forums. He has litigated indigenous civil rights matters on behalf of individuals and represents tribal governments outside of the courtroom in economic development and natural resources matters. Joe has also successfully represented individuals in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases against private parties and governments. He has argued before the Washington State Supreme Court and the Washington Court of Appeals, and he has litigated in Washington State, Oregon, and United States District Courts in both states, and he has represented clients before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. He was named a Rising Star for the years 2016-2018 by Super Lawyers® magazine.
Before joining Galanda Broadman, Joe worked in-house for a tribal government. His legal advocacy there resulted in the development of tribal government programs, including a first-of-its-kind tribal vehicle licensing program and associated tribal code revisions. He also successfully fought in courts and administrative forums to protect his client’s tribal sovereignty, the rights of Tribal citizens, and threatened cultural resources. In addition, he negotiated contracts and worked to close the purchase and sale of businesses and lands. His experiences before practicing law—including service in the United States Marine Corps and working on human rights issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina—equipped Joe to thrive in diverse communities, work efficiently and effectively under pressure, relentlessly pursue his clients’ objectives, and serve American indigenous communities.
CASES
Confederated Tribes and Bands of The Yakama Nation v. Klickitat Cty. (9th Cir. 2021)
Confederated Tribes and Bands of The Yakama Nation v. Okanogan Cty. (Wash. App. Div.3 2021)
Confederated Tribes and Bands of The Yakama Nation v. Yakima Cty. (Wash., 2020).
Cougar Den, Inc. v. Washington State Department of Licensing (Wash., 2017), affirmed before the U.S. Supreme Court (2019)
Union Pacific Railroad Company v. Wasco County. Board of Commissioners, (Columbia River Gorge Comm’n., 2017)
Alexander v. Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Tribal App. Ct., 2016)
Representative Client Successes
Won an appeal for tribal government client before Division 3 of the Washington Court of Appeals (2021)
Secured victory before the Washington State Supreme Court reversing adverse decision from the Washington Court of Appeals in an indigenous environmental and cultural resources case (2020)
Successfully tried a reservation boundary challenge case before the United States District Court (2019)
Settled a wrongful death and civil rights lawsuit involving an inmate death for more than $2,000,000 (2018)
Assisted with negotiations leading to the repatriation of the Ancient One (a/k/a "Kennewick Man") for reburial after 20+ years of administrative and litigation disputes (2017)
Settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $1,250,000 (2017)
Secured a victory for over 60 disenrolled clients in the Grand Ronde Court of Appeals, resulting in full reinstatement for all clients as members in their tribe (2016)
Defeated application to expand rail operations before Wasco County Commissioners protecting tribal members' Treaty rights to fishing sites on the Columbia River (2016)
Settled civil RICO lawsuit against former employees of a tribal enterprise (2016)
Settled dispute resulting in no construction of coal export facility at the Port of Morrow ensuring Treaty rights are protected (2016)
Secured a $6,000,000 settlement in a catastrophic injury case (2015)
Prevailed before the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission in a dispute with a railroad to maintain on-Reservation crossings critical to tribal cultural and religious practices (2015)
Settled a cultural resources damages case for over $250,000, and title to over 50 acres of culturally significant lands (2014)
Worked with CRITFC and other Tribes to secure a permit denial from the State of Oregon for construction of a coal export terminal at the Port of Morrow (2014)
Settled wrongful death claim for an amount in excess of $500,000 (2013)
Assisted with negotiations leading to $188 million settlement with the United States federal government over trust mismanagement claims (Court of Federal Claims, 2013)
Negotiated and finalized purchase of title to more than 8,000 acres of aboriginal lands (2013)
Represented tribal government interests and negotiated complex financial agreements for multi-million-dollar casino expansion project (2013)
Defeated employment-dispute claims against governmental client in tribal court (2012)
Negotiated land-use agreements to facilitate construction of salmon habitat restoration work (2012)
Established first independent tribal motor vehicle registration and license plate issuance program in the Pacific Northwest (2012)
Obtained $2.3 million settlement protecting archaeological and cultural resources in dispute with the Bonneville Power Administration (2012)
Negotiated settlement with Klickitat County requiring change in county laws protecting cultural resources (2011)
Secured order requiring adherence to tribal law ensuring a mother’s parental rights were protected (2011)
Obtained dismissal and attorneys’ fees award that was appealed and upheld by the Washington Court of Appeals (2011)
Memberships
American Bar Association
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Marine Corps League
Bar Admissions
Washington State
Oregon State
United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Federal Claims
United States District Court for the District of Oregon
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Yakama Nation Tribal Court
Grand Ronde Tribal Court
Hualapai Tribal Court
Tulalip Tribal Court
Cow Creek Tribal Court
EDUCATION
University of Arizona College of Law (JD)
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina (BA)
Publications
Regulatory Recognition of Native Histories, The Regulatory Review, A Publication of the Penn Program on Regulation, March 30, 2021.
BIA's Ugly, 19th-Century Attitudes Toward Native Land Rights, Indian Country Today Media Network, November 24, 2014.
Sacred Indian Sites Are Desecrated While Congress Fiddles, Indian Country Today Media Network, November 13, 2013.
