Marsha Schmidt joined Hobbs Straus in 1984 directly out of law school and has been with the Firm ever since. She concentrates on litigation in all aspects of Indian law, and has extensive experience with complex federal litigation. She played a major role in the landmark Mitchell v. United States, 463 U.S. 206 (1983), a timber-mismanagement case that established the validity of the breach-of-trust cause of action under the Tucker Act. She also played a significant role in Menominee Tribe v. United States, 391 U.S. 404 (1968), a case before the United States Court of Federal Claims that successfully sought money damages for the wrongful termination of the tribe and mismanagement of tribal timber resources by the federal government.
Marsha has also appeared before many federal courts and administrative agency appeal boards, including the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, the Interior Board of Land Appeals, the Department of Health and Human Services Appeals Board, and the National Labor Relations Board. She represents tribal clients in diverse matters including litigation on the enforcement of the contract support cost requirements of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), Contract Disputes Act claims, state and federal taxation of tribal interests, trust acquisition, Indian land claims, and gaming. She is also proficient in tribal sovereign immunity issues.
Marsha’s career in Indian law has presented many fulfilling challenges that have allowed her to meet clients, learn about their customs and traditions, and help ensure that those customs and traditions are protected. Indian law has given her knowledge and experience in an aspect of the legal system that is rich and complex and with which few are familiar. It has provided her the opportunity to learn about topics that are as diverse as her clients, such as the timber industry, Native American cigarette sales and marketing, gaming, treaty fishing rights, and health care.
Of Note
Won the first case establishing the right of ISDEAA contractors to full contract support (1997)
Managed the distribution of multimillion-dollar class action settlement (1992)
Assisted in drafting first opinion on electronically assisted Class II gaming device (1988)
Established right of tribal health contractors to collect third-party reimbursements (1998)
Education
The George Washington University Law School, J.D. (with honors), 1984
University of Pittsburgh, B.A. (magna cum laude), 1981
Bar Admission
District of Columbia |
