Danelle J. Smith

272 Ho-Chunk Plaza, Ste. A

Winnebago, NE 68071

dsmith@bigfirelaw.com

Tribal Affiliation

Enrolled Member Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Education

Bachelor’s of Science, Business/Human Resource Management, Wayne State College, Nebraska (B.S. 1998)

Juris Doctor, University of Iowa School of Law (J.D. 2003)

Bar Admissions

Nebraska; U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska; U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; Winnebago Tribal Court; Ponca Tribal Court; Turtle Mountain Tribal Court

Prior Legal Experience

Fredericks Peebles & Morgan (2006-2019); General Counsel, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (2003-present); General Counsel, Ho-Chunk, Inc. (2003-2006); Legal Extern, Iowa City Attorney’s Office and Iowa City Human Rights Commission (2003); Legal Intern, Native American Rights Fund (2002); Legal Intern, Ho-Chunk, Inc. (2001)

Other Experience

CEO, Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System (2018-2022)

Associations and Honors

Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation Board Member (2017-present); Winnebago Health Foundation Board Chairperson (2023-present); National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) “Native American 40 under 40” Award Recipient (2009); Thurston County Board of Supervisors Vice-Chairperson (2004-2008); Federal Bar Association Indian Law Section; Nebraska State Bar Association; Nebraska State Bar Foundation Lifetime Fellow; National Native American Bar Association; American Indians for Opportunity Program Alumni (Class of 1998)

Practice Areas

Ms. Smith is one of the Founding Partners of Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP and practices primarily in the area of tribal and federal Indian law, with an emphasis in governmental affairs and economic development. In this capacity, she has served as General Counsel to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and its subdivisions, including Ho-Chunk, Inc., the Tribe’s economic development corporation. Ms. Smith has extensive experience in a broad range of tribal governance and tribal economic development matters, including financing, gaming, real estate, contracts, employment, and intergovernmental relations. She also works with tribal constitution and enrollment issues, tribal court administration, and ordinance and code drafting. Additionally, Ms. Smith is experienced in advising non-profit organizations, schools, and community colleges.