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Law Firm Sues Tribe Over Legal Bills for
Florence Site
March 3, 2003 Coos Bay - A Washington, D.C., law firm has filed a lawsuit against the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw, claiming it was not paid for legal services involving land intended for a casino near Florence. In a response Monday, the tribe argued that it is immune from lawsuits tried in courts other than tribal courts. Jackson Kelly filed the lawsuit in February, alleging the tribe promised to pay all outstanding invoices as the firm continued legal work on the Florence site. Jackson Kelly helped the tribe secure restored land status for the 98-acre property west of Florence. The site must be considered reservation land for the tribe to build a casino without the approval of Oregon's governor. The tribes received the federal designation, but a lawsuit to stop the casino filed by the state is pending in federal court. Jackson Kelly was retained by the tribe from 1999 to 2001, when the tribe fired the law firm. The tribe made periodic payments, according to court documents, but nearly two years of bills remained unpaid, totaling $163,715. In court documents, the tribe's attorney, Michael Taylor, acknowledged that Jackson Kelly had provided legal services to the tribe but said it was a tribal court issue and that the District of Columbia Superior Court has no jurisdiction in the matter. He also noted that tribal law renders the tribe immune from lawsuits. Neither Jackson Kelly nor Taylor, of Marysville, Wash., would comment on the lawsuit. Oregonian Newspaper, Portland, Oregon, 4/3/03 Also see: Court Documents Filed by Tribe |
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