Brian Gunn

Brian Gunn is a principal in Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville’s Indian Tribal Governments group. He advises tribal clients on matters before the US Congress and federal agencies, with a practice covering federal budget and appropriations, natural resources, federal lands and land transfers, taxation, energy development, and Indian health. Brian also works on Tribal Policy and Advocacy matters. His practice combines government relations, federal policy work, and litigation involving tribal interests and federal trust responsibilities.

Brian earned a J.D. from the University of Washington and a B.A. from Washington State University. His legal education supports a practice that requires understanding federal statutes, administrative processes, appropriations, and litigation involving tribal governments. This training provides a foundation for analyzing complex federal policy questions, developing advocacy strategies, and representing tribal interests in matters that move between Congress, executive agencies, and federal courts.

Brian served as lead lobbyist for the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act, which became federal law in 2016, and has worked on other tribal legislation and provisions enacted as parts of larger bills. His litigation experience includes serving as lead counsel in tribal trust mismanagement cases in federal court. He has also served as counsel in a tribal timber and wildfire breach-of-trust case before the US Court of Federal Claims, combining policy advocacy with courtroom representation.

Brian Gunn has been recognized by Chambers USA for Native American Law and by The Best Lawyers in America for Native American Law. His earlier honors include national recognitions for younger minority and Native American professionals. He is admitted in the District of Columbia, the US District Court for the District of Columbia, and the US Court of Federal Claims. His work brings together federal policy, legislative advocacy, natural-resources issues, and litigation for tribal-government clients.

Law Office Affiliations

• Principal, Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC
• Member, District of Columbia Bar
• Member, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Licensed State

• District of Columbia

Education

• University of Washington
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Washington State University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges