Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen, LLP

Happy first day of spring!

We’re excited to be at the Denver March Powwow today and all weekend at the Denver Coliseum!

One of the largest powwows in the country, this annual event brings together dancers, singers, artists, and Native communities to celebrate culture, tradition, and connection, and is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.

If you’re attending, stop by our booth to say hello and grab some candy, we’d love to see you there!

We invite tribal leaders, tribal enterprises, and business representatives attending the Reservation Economic Summit 2026 to join us for a reception as we welcome JoAnn Kintz as Partner and kick off the week ahead at RES 2026.

JoAnn Kintz is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and a graduate of Columbia Law School and Columbia University.

She brings more than a decade of experience advancing tribal interests through litigation, policy, and intergovernmental collaboration, most recently serving as Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Tribal Justice.

Her work spans tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction, treaty and trust obligations, public safety, taxation, natural resources, and economic development.

Kintz brings trusted leadership and a deep commitment to serving tribal nations and enterprises.

She strengthens the firm’s capacity to advance economic development, governance, and long-term sovereignty.

Additionally, we’re pleased to share that Ben Fenner, partner with Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP, will be speaking at RES 2026 on Monday, March 23 during Breakout Session Block One. His session, Funding Tools for Tribal Economic Development, will take place from 10–10:50 a.m. PT in Milano Ballroom I.

Ben Fenner brings more than 15 years of experience representing tribal nations in complex litigation, appellate advocacy, and federal policy matters involving tribal sovereignty, taxation, treaty rights, and economic development. He has successfully argued and authored dispositive motions in federal, tribal, and state courts, and has played a key role in landmark litigation enforcing the federal government’s treaty-based obligations and advancing Indian Self-Determination contracts.

Ben also advises tribes on governance, infrastructure financing, regulatory compliance, and economic development initiatives, and has secured millions of dollars in settlements for tribal clients.

We are proud to announce that Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms® ranked by Best Lawyers® with the following honors:

National Tier 1 | Native American Law
Regional Tier 1 (Colorado) | Native American Law

This year’s recognition marks an important milestone for our firm, as our national ranking advanced from Tier 2 to Tier 1, reflecting continued growth, excellence, and impact in our work serving Tribal Nations. The Firm and its attorneys have consistently been ranked since it formed in 2020.

“This is a team recognition and a testament to everyone’s excellence as well as to the high caliber of the Firm’s clients,” said partner Thomasina Real Bird.

We are deeply grateful to our clients for their trust and partnership, and proud of our entire team for their dedication to advancing Tribal sovereignty and self-determination nationwide.

Join NALSA today via zoom from 5pm to 6pm (CT) in celebrating Native American Heritage Month with an exciting panel discussion featuring Native professionals in Big Law, Native law firms, and independent practice --- including our very own Thomasina Real Bird!

Hear firsthand about diverse career pathways in private practice, navigating multi-jurisdictional work, and building a meaningful legal career rooted in community and advocacy.

This is an opportunity for rich conversation on leadership, identity, and practice across Indian Country and beyond!

General Attendee Link:
http://mitchellhamline.zoom.us/J/98894366429

In addition to celebrating Thomasina Real Bird, named Lawyer of the Year (Boulder, CO) in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers®, we are proud to announce that six of our attorneys have been recognized in Best Lawyers 2026 for their outstanding work across multiple practice areas.

Please join us in congratulating:
• Jeremy Patterson – Best Lawyers in America (Native American Law, Louisville CO, since 2018)
• Mitch Holditch – Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Energy Law & Native American Law, Louisville, CO, since 2022)
• Linda Cooper – Best Lawyers in America (Insurance Law, Louisville, CO, since 2020)
• Ben Fenner – Best Lawyers in America (Native American Law, Washington, D.C., since 2024)
• Derril Jordan – Best Lawyers in America (Native American Law, Washington, D.C., since 2023)
• Frances Bassett – Best Lawyers in America (Native American Law, Louisville, CO, since 2023)
• Thomasina Real Bird – Best Lawyers in America (since 2019) & Lawyer of the Year, Boulder, CO

This recognition reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to serving Tribal Nations, advancing sovereignty, and advocating for our clients with excellence and integrity.

Congratulations to our attorneys on this well-deserved honor!

Congratulations to our very own Thomasina Real Bird, named Lawyer of the Year (Boulder, CO) in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers®!

Since 2019, Thomasina Real Bird has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for her excellence in Native American Law.

This year, she has been named Lawyer of the Year (Boulder, CO) in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers® — a distinction awarded to just one attorney in each practice area and region.

Thomasina’s unwavering commitment to Tribal sovereignty and advocacy makes this honor especially meaningful.We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor and her continued impact in the field.

We invite you to learn more about her work...
https://nativelawgroup.com/thomasina-real-bird/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacJi1d7QWgsKjHmEowjYkH4Jq0bnBbprT96SDfaRtGQKWQgBsEbXP3ZptknyQ_aem_zUqwIvn36a5RG54vSMMPBA

Are you at NAFOA? Come check out our booth in the hallway.

Drop by the booth at the NCAI Marketplace for some conference loot and a chance to win this beautiful wool blanket. Winter is coming!

The Native Law Group is on the ground and working for Indian country here at the 81st Annual National Congress of American Indians' Convention. Partners Samantha Skenandore, Linda Cooper and Carrie Frias will be presenting this week and we welcome convention attendees to join us for a private Halloween event to be held on Thursday at the Hard Rock Cafe.

We had a grand time celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day playing at the 2nd Annual Kiowa Tribal Chairman's Challenge Golf Tournament held in Edmond, Oklahoma. We are proud to help sponsor this event benefiting the Kiowa Education Foundation. At Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson, every day is Indigenous Peoples' Day! Representing from left to right is Ben Fenner (D.C. Office), Linda Cooper (Colorado office), Samantha Skenandore (Midwest office), and Juliette Jackson (D.C. Office). We are thankful to Chairman SpottedBird and for their gracious hospitality.

Join us at our reception where we will be welcoming Samantha Skenandore as Partner of our new Midwest Office!