Sarah A. Murray

Brownstein lead the efforts of a tribal community in standing up their commercial gaming enterprise (independent of on-reservation IGRA gaming) and provides counsel on an ongoing basis regarding potential commercial opportunities and their regulatory implications in gaming jurisdictions around the U.S. Our efforts for the tribal community include development of bespoke entity and governance structures, guiding and streamlining licensing and regulatory efforts, and consulting on governmental and political considerations. We also assist in identifying and conducting due diligence relating to potential partnership opportunities, and acting as transactional and regulatory counsel in the acquisition of commercial gaming assets and entry into partnership structures with other operators.

Negotiated complex Indian gaming agreements and management contracts, including the first-ever agreement for retail and mobile sports betting by an Indian tribe in the United States, a framework now widely adopted industry-wide to enable both outside partnerships with tribes and significant market opportunities for tribal entities.

NEPA and Federal regulations guidance for tribes wishing to place land into trust to increase self-determination and economic opportunities including entering into business partnerships for the use and management of natural resources and energy on tribal lands.

As part of a team of lawyers and advocates, helped develop and propose the Coronavirus Relief Fund for tribes, which ultimately led to $8 billion in funding to tribal nations in the CARES Act.