Robert L. Gips

Robert L. Gips is an attorney at Drummond Woodsum in Portland who advises Native American governments and their enterprises on business, finance, and governmental matters. Since 1983, he has served as legal counsel, business advisor, and financial advisor to federally recognized Tribes and Tribal businesses across the country. His work includes outside general counsel services, corporate transactions, commercial financings, economic development, gaming, governance, and regulatory matters affecting Tribal governments and enterprises.

Rob earned a J.D. from Yale Law School and an M.B.A. from Yale School of Management in 1982, after receiving a B.A. from Harvard University in 1976. He later clerked for Chief Justice Robert Wilentz of the New Jersey Supreme Court. His legal and business education provides a foundation for transactions that combine corporate structure, finance, regulation, governance, and strategic planning in Indian country and in enterprises operating across multiple jurisdictions.

Rob has advised on the creation and acquisition of hotels, resorts, casinos, gaming facilities, newspapers, internet fiber projects, Tribal housing, manufacturing facilities, industrial plants, and joint ventures. He has represented lenders and borrowers in complex financings and assists Tribal governments with constitutions, laws, regulations, codes, charters, and gaming compact negotiations. His experience includes work on the first gaming compact in Indiana and amendments involving mobile online and sports betting in Connecticut.

Robert L. Gips is recognized by Chambers & Partners and Best Lawyers USA for Native American Law, with Chambers listing him among Senior Statespeople in the field. He also serves in independent board and committee roles involving Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment and Seminole Hard Rock International and serves on the board of a Passamaquoddy Tribal enterprise. His practice combines long-standing Tribal counsel experience with corporate, financial, regulatory, and governance work for Native American clients.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Drummond Woodsum
• Member, Maine State Bar Association
• Board Member, Seminole Hard Rock International, LLC
• Board Member, Passamaquoddy Northeastern Blueberry Company

Licensed State

• Maine

Education

• Yale Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD) and M.B.A
• Harvard University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges