In-house corporate work and civil litigation

TRAVIS D. LOVETT

**** ******* ***** **********, ** 46112 ● 202-***-**** ● ******.*.******@*****.*** ADMISSIONS

Indiana, USA (2018); United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana Saskatchewan, Canada (2017)

EDUCATION

University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, Edmonton, AB LL.M, GPA: 3.6, Fall 2016

Honors: R John Adams and Agnes M Adams Prize (awarded to the recipient of the highest grade on an oil and gas research paper), Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholarship (awarded based on interest in Natural Resources Law and significant contributions to the field), Canadian Petroleum Law Foundation Scholarship (awarded based on ability to make significant contributions to the Canadian oil and gas legal practice), Centre for International Governance Innovation Graduate Scholarship and Residency Fellowship (awarded based on ability to contribute academic research and publication in Indigenous field of law), Faculty of Law Annual Fund Scholarship. Thesis: Supervising Professor David R. Percy, “The Board Room Trumps the Courtroom – Reconciliation through Impact and Benefit Agreements.”

Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Tempe, AZ

J.D., May 2014

Honors: Indian Legal Program Certificate, Center of Law, Science, & Technology Certificate with an emphasis in Environmental & Sustainability, Hon. William C. Canby, Jr. Scholarship (awarded to only one rising 3L based on interest in federal Indian law), Indian Legal Program Scholarship

(awarded based on outstanding achievement in federal Indian law), Diversity Writing Scholarship

(awarded based on interest and achievement in legal writing), Native American Bar Association of Arizona Scholarship (awarded based on interest and dedication to pursue a career in Indian law), Dean’s Recruitment Award (awarded based on outstanding undergraduate achievements), Kevin Kane Memorial Book Scholarship (awarded based on interest to pursue a J.D. at Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law).

Activities: Native American Law Students Association, President, Arizona Native American Bar Association. University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, KY

B.S., Biology cum laude May 2009

Honors: Academic All-American (Men’s Wrestling), Dean’s List all semesters, Merit Scholarship (awarded based on academic achievement in High School), Athletic Scholarship (awarded based on outstanding achievement in high school wrestling), SMART Grant (awarded for science majors with a 3.5 GPA or higher).

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Slusar & Company, Saskatoon, SK August 2016 – October 2017 Articling Student; In-house Tribal Attorney

Corporate practice: met with chief and councils to discuss business ventures and to ensure tribal governance complied with federal law and regulations, prepared a buyout acquisition strategy, engaged in complex negotiations with government agencies and natural resource companies through Canada’s government-to-government consultation process, prepared and reviewed employment contracts, financial contribution agreements, settlement agreements, and Band Council Resolutions, proposed amendments to housing by-laws, employment policies, and election acts, reviewed loan agreements for on-reserve housing development, and collaborated with government agencies to submit comments on proposed environmental legislation.

Litigation: defended First Nations in civil litigation against claims of unjust dismissal in a federal adjudicative hearing and against creditors in Small Claims Court, asserted claims against housing developers for breach of contract in the Court of Queen’s Bench, and defended a First Nation against federal prosecution for waste disposal mismanagement.

Advocacy: prepared trial strategy and arguments for civil litigation, drafted and filed legal briefs and numerous motions, drafted land and treaty claims to the federal Specific Claims Tribunal, researched and drafted legal memoranda on land and federal constitutional rights, status recognition under the Indian Act, real estate construction, unjust dismissal and fixed-term contracts, and issues pertaining to civil procedure. Arizona State University Indian Legal Clinic, Tempe, AZ January – May 2014 Student-Attorney, CALI Excellence for the Future Award (awarded to highest scoring student in the class)

Represented the Gila River Indian Community (“GRIC”) in traffic trials in GRIC Judicial Court and defended clients to withstand criminal trial in Ak-Chin Indian Community Court in cases of public intoxication and drug possession.

Defended the Little River Indian Tribe through a civil mock trial: drafted and filed legal briefs and various court motions, conducted voir dire jury selection, requested documents and deposed witnesses through a process of discovery, conducted direct and cross examination of witnesses, and presented opening and closing arguments.

Researched and drafted legal memoranda on aboriginal title, the benefit of utilizing a limited liability company or establishing a trust to hold title to property, and the Federal Acknowledgement of Indian Tribes Revised Regulations, conducted client interviews and initial consultations, appeared for court arraignments and review hearings, and filed various motions.

Native American Rights Fund, Boulder, CO May – July 2013 Law Clerk

Researched and drafted legal memoranda on the Endangered Species Act, Carcieri’s impact on Tribal Nations, congressional committee hearings, sacred sites and cultural impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act

(“NEPA”), Environmental Impact Statements under NEPA, Native American religious beliefs under the Establishment Clause, and international issues involving the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Snell & Wilmer, LLP, Phoenix, AZ January – May 2013 Diversity Legal Intern

Researched and drafted legal memoranda on taxation and commercial transactions between an Indian tribe and a non- Indian retail developer, on Bureau of Indian Affairs economic regulations, Indian employment preference and general employment law in Indian Country, and Internet gaming. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Washington D.C. May – August 2012 Udall Native American Congressional Internship (awarded to only 12 Native Americans for service in Indian Country)

Researched and drafted legal memoranda on the Per Capita Act, on payments in lieu of taxes in Indian Country, on the Secretary of Interior’s power to take land into trust for an Indian tribe, and various issues pertaining to land ownership in Indian Country.

Analyzed hearing transcripts to identify issues for legislative consideration including federal tax policies, Tribal self- determination, implementation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Carcieri, energy development in Indian Country, environmental impacts for Indian nations, Indian water right cases, and federal recognition petitions.

Drafted Chairman Akaka’s questions for “New Tax Burdens on Tribal Self-Determination” hearing. PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

The Board Room Trumps the Courtroom – Reconciliation through Impact and Benefit Agreements

(July 14, 2017) (Unpublished LLM Thesis, University of Alberta, Faculty of Law) (on file with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Alberta)

Saskatchewan Provincial Court Judges’ Association Essay Contest Winner – Important Practice Skills Acquired throughout the Articling Year

BarNotes, Summer 2017, at 33-34

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Natural Resource Development Panelist, Canadian Law and Society Association Annual Conference, Ottawa, ON, June 3-5, 2015 WORLD CHAMPION NATIVE AMERICAN WAR DANCER

Men’s Northern Style Fancy Feather Dancer, Various Pow-wows across USA and Canada

“World Champion, 2008,”and 2x “Gathering of Nations” Winner (North America’s Largest Pow Wow)

Represented Saskatchewan Indigenous Pow Wow showcase in 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Deer Clan Productions – showcase of “World Champions Tour” (awarded only to World Champion Dancers). VOLUNTEER INITIATIVES

Live 1:17 Ministry, Indianapolis, Indiana

Help support foster families.

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