This article was originally published in Tribal Business News, April 8th, 2024.

A trio of experienced attorneys have launched Mshkawzi Law LLP, a majority-Native owned law firm dedicated to providing specialized legal services to tribes and tribal entities in the U.S. and Canada.

The new firm, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., strategically positions itself with attorneys in Washington D.C., Sacramento, and Toronto. The partners and team at Mshkawzi Law, which is 100% women-owned, bring a wealth of experience and expertise in tribal law, governance, and advocacy, according to a statement. 

Founding partners Tanya Gibbs, Saba Bazzazieh, and Nicole St. Germain, along with a team of three attorneys and a paralegal, collectively bring decades of expertise in tribal law and advocacy to address the unique legal challenges faced by Indigenous communities.  The partners previously worked together at Rosette LLP, a national firm specializing in Indian law. 

Gibbs, the firm's majority partner, is a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and a Michigan Bar member since 2014. She specializes in non-gaming economic development, and her practice focuses on representing tribally-owned companies across diverse sectors, including e-commerce and real estate development.

Bazzazieh, based in Washington D.C. and admitted to the Arizona Bar since 2008, has a strong background in tribal self-governance and extensive experience in gaming-related matters. She has successfully represented tribal clients at various levels of government.

St. Germain, a California-based attorney admitted to the California Bar in 2008, brings expertise in e-commerce transactions and tribal-state compacts. With a litigation background, St. Germain has consistently received recognition as a six-time Super Lawyers Rising Star.

The firm's additional attorneys and paralegal bolster Mshkawzi Law LLP's capacity to navigate the complex landscape of Indian law. Committed to fostering economic development and providing legal support to tribes and tribal entities, the firm's mission aligns with empowering Indigenous communities to thrive.

Mshkawzi Law derives its name from the Nishnaabemwin Odawa and Eastern Ojibwe word "mshkawzi," meaning "be powerful." 

"We are honored to launch Mshkawzi Law LLP to advocate for Indigenous sovereignty and justice," Gibbs said in a statement. "Our team is deeply committed to advancing the mission of Native American Tribes and First Nations in their pursuit of self-determination, cultural preservation, and economic prosperity."