Godfrey & Kahn's Indian Nations Law Practice Group understands that, in Indian country, employees are more than a cost of doing business. They are family, neighbors, friends and members who vote at tribal elections. Tribal leaders must balance their responsibility to operate government programs and tribal enterprises efficiently for the benefit of current and future members against the need to encourage members to develop their skills and support their families.

Godfrey & Kahn's experienced labor and employment attorneys assist tribal leaders and attorneys in achieving their goals of attracting high-quality employees, developing the capabilities of tribal members and protecting tribes from infringement of rights of self-government. Our experience includes:

• Operational advice to managers relating to hiring, discipline, benefits, etc.
• Preparation of employee policies and handbooks, including grievance remedies that provide basic fairness to employees without undermining the authority of tribal managers
• Proactive strategies to minimize the likelihood that a tribe will be the target of a union effort to organize the tribe's workers
• Representation in disputes with federal or state agencies