Land Into Trust

The land-into-trust process has many aspects, such as drafting and submitting the application and tribal resolutions, clearing title encumbrances, clarifying legal descriptions, compliance with the National Environmental Protection Act, working with legislative and congressional staff to get their support, and defending an appeal for the final agency decision. The Circle Law Group has handled all aspects of this process and has a record of success with fee-to-trust applications in California.

In some instances, a Tribal Nation may decide that it seeks to acquire rights in off-reservation lands for economic or other purposes. The Circle Law Group has successfully represented tribal governments and tribal non-profit entities in acquiring off-reservation lands in fee, negotiating cultural preservation easements and establishing living trusts for Indian families to protect off-reservation investments.

Today The Circle Law Group represents several California tribes in every capacity of land acquisition and real property law. Our goal is to restore as much land to California tribes as possible, utilizing all forms of available funding.