Andrew M. Small

Andrew M. Small began his practice with the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana in 1981, after he had interned with them for two years.  He also served as counsel for the Blackfeet Nation, the Rocky Boy’s government, and the Crow Tribe.  His practice has included all aspects of Tribal government including development of courts, Tribal child welfare protection, promulgation of laws, natural resources and water protection, sovereignty defense, housing, taxation, tribal membership, domestic relations, treaty rights negotiation and litigation. 

Andrew Small has served as general counsel and special counsel for thirteen Tribes and is admitted to practice in fourteen Tribal jurisdictions throughout Indian Country, as well as Circuit Courts of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court.  Andrew Small was one of the principal drafters of the Iowa ICWA law of 2003 and he has worked with others to prepare similar legislation for consideration by other state legislatures.

Andrew served as an Associate Judge for the Lower Sioux Indian Community from 1995 to September 2005 and as the Children’s Court Judge for the Prairie Island Mdewakanton Dakota Community from 1994 through 2002.  During his decade as a judge, he assisted in the successful petition to the Minnesota Supreme Court for a recognition rule, now known as Rule 10 of the General Rules of Practice.