Introduction

Walker Law LLC is owned by Elizabeth T. Walker, an experienced attorney and governmental relations consultant. The firm specializes in Native American legal and legislative issues, in both state and federal arenas. Our greatest interest and experience includes legislative and governmental relations in the U.S. Congress, Federal Agencies and numerous states legislatures, including California and Arizona. We provide general legal and consulting services to tribes, Native people and those doing business with Native communities, in such areas as: federal grants, economic development funding, education, housing, health care, environmental regulation and gaming. Located in the Capitol area, firm clients have daily access to activities of the Federal government and Congress. We have experience in a variety of issues related to the development of tribal governments ranging from tribal enrollment and election law to sovereignty through either the federal administrative or the congressional process.

Legal, Legislative & Political Advocacy

Walker Law LLC actively lobbies Congress on behalf of firm clients, and has outstanding access to key members in both parties. Currently the firm represents the six Virginia Indian Tribes seeking federal congressional recognition (Click Here to visit my Blog documenting their historic trip to England for the Jamestown 2007 commemoration), and in that capacity has assisted with both the congressional effort and the lengthy petition process through the Bureau of Indian affairs. As a result of our expertise in the federal acknowledgement process, we have provided consulting and legal advice to other tribes seeking federal acknowledgement and some that are seeking to be recognized by their state. In addition to advocating on behalf of tribal entities, the firm has represented Native American clients on individual matters, such as involuntary relocation, enrollment, tribal civil rights, private law suits and general contract and business law. The firm has extensive experience before key federal agencies that control funding and assistance to tribes and individual tribal members.

Walker Law LLC specializes in Native American issues, but has served a variety of private, corporate and public clients, on legal, legislative and regulatory matters, including but not limited to, environmental law and regulations, corporate tax, energy, education appropriations, franchise law and many general business issues.

Public Relations & Communications

Walker Law LLC is the registered agent for Native American Technology & Video, Inc. (NATV) a non profit Corporation, whose President, Randy Flood a Capitol Hill veteran, is dedicated to the training of Native American Students in video technology. NATV is located in the prestigious Hall of States Building, across from the U.S. Capitol. This relationship provides clients of Walker Law LLC access to a studio and opportunity to produce and air issues over the Internet.

Walker Law LLC has formed other relationships that have assisted firm clients in key communications before members of Congress and federal agencies. For example, for over 15 years, the firm has teamed with Gillian Drake, a well known communications specialist and President of On Trial Associates, Inc. Our firms have worked together on a wide range of issues and venues from preparing clients to testify before state agency boards reviewing professional ethics violations to assisting Native American families with complex factual presentations to the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs. Ms. Drake provides consulting services to many national law firms preparing witnesses and developing communications strategies for litigation. Our unique combination of talents has allowed us to assist clients in preparing congressional testimony on complicated cross cultural and legal issues.

Walker Law LLC can provide clients strategic grassroots advocacy advice related to all forms of media, i.e. print, television, radio and Internet services. In addition the firm can assist with a variety of public relations needs of its clients, and has negotiated book contracts on behalf of clients, assisting with every aspect of the publication effort, including finding the writers and appropriate agent.

Profile of Elizabeth T. Walker

Liz Walker attended the University of Virginia during her undergraduate career and later after working on Capitol Hill for a Virginia Congressman, she obtained her law degree from George Mason University School of Law in Arlington Virginia. She began her legal career at the firm of Thomas & Fiske, in Alexandria, Virginia, and then took a position as corporate counsel for Mobil Oil Corporation. In the course of her legal career at Mobil, she negotiated two turnpike leases in New York and Massachusetts and was commended for her work with governmental entities, and promoted into the position of Director of Governmental Affairs for the companies west coast operations, managing their offices in Sacramento, California.

In that capacity she actively lobbied the California and Arizona legislatures, and chaired the Oil Industry’s governmental affairs committee in Arizona for several years. This experience eventually led her to private practice in Washington, D.C. where she was a Vice President of Government Affairs, in a consulting arm of a large national law firm, McGuire Woods, LLP. Later she joined one of the more successful federal affairs firms in Washington, Alcalde & Fay, where she developed her current Native American practice. As the only practicing lawyer at Alcalde & Fay, she left and began her own firm where she could specialize in Native American affairs, and provide both legal and government relations consulting to her clients.

Liz has been politically and civically active all her life. She served eight years on the Board of Visitors of George Mason University, and has assisted with fundraising for several foundations and non-profit organizations. She is an active member of the Virginia State Bar.