Akin Names Jason Hauter and Katie Brossy as Co‑Heads of American Indian Law & Policy Practice
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Washington, D.C. – Akin announced today that lobbying and public policy partners Jason Hauter (Gila River Indian Community) and Katie Brossy (Ponca Tribe of Nebraska/Santee Sioux) have been named co-heads of the firm’s American Indian law & policy practice, a leading Washington-based platform advising tribal governments, tribal organizations and tribally owned enterprises on high‑stakes federal policy, regulatory and legal matters affecting Indian Country. They succeed Don Pongrace, who established and grew the practice into one of the premier Native American law & policy practices in the nation, and who will continue to serve the firm as a senior consultant and continue to serve as a critical member of the American Indian law & policy team.
“As policy and regulatory issues affecting Indian Country continue to evolve, no one is better equipped to build on Don’s leadership than Jason and Katie,” said Hunter Bates, co-head of Akin’s lobbying & public policy practice. “They have an exceptional record of securing meaningful outcomes for tribal clients on some of the most complex matters in Washington, and their leadership positions the practice for continued growth and impact. We’re grateful to Jason, Katie and Don for their commitment.”
Under Hauter and Brossy’s leadership, the practice will continue to expand its work on priority matters including the protection and advancement of tribal water rights and other key tribal sovereignty‑related issues. The practice’s signature achievements include its central role in negotiating, implementing and securing congressional approval for two of the largest Indian water rights settlements in U.S. history, navigating persistent drought and evolving water‑scarcity challenges in the Colorado River basin to ensure the Gila River Indian Community’s settlement terms are protected, negotiating and litigating complex rights-of-way issues across Indian Country, and finding innovative solutions to utilize federal statutory and regulatory provisions to provide critical tribal infrastructure.
“This practice was established three decades ago to build a meaningful presence in Washington for tribal communities and to ensure tribes have a seat at the table, whether that is in complex negotiations, corporate board rooms, rule-makings, or legislative efforts that impact their tribal communities,” said Don Pongrace. “Jason and Katie have been central to that work, and their leadership strengthens both the original vision for the practice and our renewed commitment to a Native‑led team serving Indian Country.”
“Policy and regulatory issues in Washington continue to present both new challenges and new opportunities for tribal communities,” said Brossy. “Our practice, and our well‑connected team of advisors, is strategically positioned to help tribes navigate an ever‑changing landscape and Jason and I are proud to build on a strong foundation of doing exactly that.”
“Don set the standard for what a dedicated American Indian law and policy practice should be,” said Hauter. “I look forward to advancing his work and continuing to serve tribal communities with the same dedication and focus.”
Jason represents Indian tribes and tribally owned enterprises, advising on federal policy, Indian water rights, Indian gaming, land‑into‑trust matters, economic development and environmental regulation. A member of the Gila River Indian Community, he previously served for eight years as in‑house counsel for the Community, where he worked on issues including economic development, construction, labor and employment preference, hospitality and entertainment, taxation, and internal policy. He currently advises the Gila River Indian Community on its water settlement implementation and in Colorado River drought matters, including the Arizona Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan negotiations, and the current post-2026 Colorado River Environmental Impact Statement process and seven Basin States negotiation for post-2026 drought guidelines.
Katie is a leading advisor to Indian tribes, tribal governmental instrumentalities and tribally owned enterprises. With over two decades of tribal law experience, Katie has advised on a number of highly significant tribal issues, including one of the largest Indian water rights settlements in U.S. history and the largest tribal trust claim settlement. Katie has significant experience negotiating 105(l) leases on behalf of tribal clients to obtain critical funding and infrastructure opportunities for her tribal clients. She regularly advises her clients on complex land and water issues. A citizen of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, as well as of Santee Sioux, Katie has a deep understanding of the issues impacting tribal clients.
About Akin’s American Indian Law & Policy Practice
Based in Washington, D.C., the American Indian law & policy group comprises lawyers and advisors who possess personal insight into, and experience with, how decisions in Washington are made and implemented. We regularly engage officials and staff from the White House, Congress and all relevant federal agencies to advance the specific goals of our tribal clients.
Our lawyers and advisors are highly experienced and respected in their field and appreciate the subtleties of tribal sovereignty and tribal culture. Operating in a bipartisan fashion, we assist clients in understanding and working with the rhythms, personalities and current policies and priorities of the federal government. The firm is engaged on behalf of tribal interests in the major issues developing in Washington that affect Indian Country.
About Akin’s Lobbying & Public Policy Practice
Our renowned lobbying & public policy practice integrates a top lobbying practice within a full-service law firm. Our bipartisan group comprises more than 75 lawyers and other professionals focused exclusively on representing clients before the federal government on legislative, policy and regulatory matters.
Our team includes former members of Congress and other lawyers and professionals with considerable government service experience who also engage in political activities for both major U.S. political parties. With this formidable experience, we help clients with advocacy and building relationships with key leaders and staff throughout Congress and the executive branch.
Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers and advisors in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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