Maurice R. Johnson

• Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, NE J.D., 1990
• University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, Bachelors of Arts in International Relations, 1987

Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, Tama, IA 

• Associate Judge of Tribal Court, 2018-2022
  • Responsible for applying relevant Tribal Court Rules, Tribal Law and case law when presiding over trials to the court, pretrial conferences, arraignments, motions and other hearings.
• Goosmann Law Firm, Sioux City, IA (2017-2018) (Of Counsel, 2018-2022)
  • Transactional attorney overseeing contracts and agreements concerning financial exchanges.
  • Verify all documentation, negotiate on behalf of businesses, and offer legal counsel regarding intellectual property, real estate transactions, and mergers/ acquisitions.

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska: Macy, NE

• Attorney General, 2014 –2017
  • Established and directed the Office of the Attorney General to serve as legal advisor to the Tribal government.
  • Developed agendas and materials for board and membership meetings; prepared minutes, resolutions and subject matter memos; prepared all required notices. Served on committees, task forces, and special projects.
  • Judged the merits of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the Tribe, worked with the appropriate leaders to define a strategic defense; negotiated/ approved settlements where warranted.
  • Updated and modernized outdated codes, policies, and procedures.
  • Successfully represented the Utility Department in an action filed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Thompson Law Offices: Omaha, NE

• Lead Attorney, 2013–2014
  • Responsible for legal representation of firm’s Tribal clients.
  • Areas of practice included gaming, land claims, employment law, taxation, land acquisition, Tribal jurisdiction, construction contracting, code drafting/ revision, and all facets of Tribal operations.
  • Coached, mentored, trained and developed firm’s Attorneys and staff.
  • Utilized construction law expertise to work with FEMA and assist a Tribal client in the rebuilding of a casino and tribal housing destroyed during state-wide flooding.

Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa: Tama, IA

• Attorney General, 2008–2013
  • Represented the Tribe and its Casino in all aspects of Tribal government and gaming business including commercial transactions, contracts, corporate, economic development, environmental, employment, family, jurisdiction, land use, law enforcement, litigation and tax issues.
  • Supervised the legal department staff and outside legal counsel; managed departmental budget.
  • Enacted corporate business and non-profit codes, resulting in the establishment of a Bank Holding Company and Tribal Economic Development Corporation.
  • Secured a recurring grant for an Office of Child Support Enforcement resulting in increased employment for the Tribe, enhanced enforcement of child support orders and retention of jurisdiction with the Tribe.
  • Overhauled vendor and entertainment contract procedures for the Casino, which improved efficiency, resulting in labor and cost savings.
  • Provided significant litigation support to General Counsel in construction arbitration.

Johnson Thompson LLP: Omaha, NE

• Senior Partner, 2002–2008
  • Represented the firm’s Tribal clients and their governmental departments, businesses and committees.
  • Litigated in Tribal, State and Federal courts.
  • Interpreted laws and policies, developed Tribal codes, analyzed legal documents, reviewed and drafted contracts.
  • Negotiated on behalf of Tribes with government agencies.
  • Performed pro-bono work on behalf of California Tribe on cultural land use issue.
  • Represented clients in state courts regarding international adoptions.

Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP: Omaha, NE

• Associate Attorney, 1995- 2002
  • Represented Tribes in the Midwest and California, prepared pleadings and briefs, took and defended discovery, conducted hearings and litigated actions or proceedings through trial.
  • Developed a specialty in federal statutes as they relate to land acquired in trust by the United States on behalf of Tribes, prepared complex Indian land opinions.
  • Communicated with opposing Counsel, Co-Counsel and Federal/State/Tribal agency representatives.
  • Cases of note include Santee Sioux Tribe v. United States, 174 F.Supp.2d. 1001 (D. Nebr. 2001); In Re Desiree F. 2000 Cal. App. Lexis 733 (2000); and, Missouri River Services, Inc. v Omaha Tribe, 267 F. 3d 848 (8th 2001).

Douglas County Nebraska Public Defender: Omaha, NE

• Assistant Public Defender, 1991- 1994
  • Extensive Juvenile Court experience involving daily courtroom practice.
  • Developed significant experience representing Indian children under the Indian Child Welfare Act.
  • Served as Guardian Ad Litem to children involved in dependency, neglect and/ or abuse cases in the Juvenile Court.
  • Interpreted and applied statutes, case law and legal precedent. Prepared motions, briefs and other pleadings including comprehensive citation of cases, opinions and legal precedent.