Jennifer Bear Eagle
515 N. Ho-Chunk Plaza, Ste. A
Winnebago, NE 68071
jbeareagle@bigfirelaw.com
TRIBAL AFFILIATION
Enrolled Member Oglala Sioux Tribe; Descendant Turtle Mountain Chippewa
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree in English, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (B.A. 2002)
Juris Doctor, University of Nebraska College of Law (J.D. 2008)
BAR ADMISSIONS
Nebraska; Oglala Sioux Tribal Court; Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and Iowa Tribal Court; Winnebago Tribal Court
PRIOR LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Lead In-House Counsel for the Oglala Sioux Tribe (2019-2020); In-House Counsel for the Oglala Sioux Tribe (2017-2019); In-House Counsel for the Office of the Executive Director for the Oglala Sioux Tribe (2016-2017); Associate Attorney, Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP (2009-2016); Law Clerk, Nebraska Attorney General (2007-2008); Legal Intern, Native American Rights Fund (2007)
ASSOCIATIONS AND HONORS
University of Nebraska College of Law Dean’s Advisory Board (2018-present); University of Nebraska Alumni Association Early Achiever’s Award (2017); Nebraska Democratic Party – Native American Caucus, Parliamentarian (2017-2019); Federal Bar Association – Indian Law Section; Nebraska State Bar Association – Indian Law Section, Section Founder, Chairperson, Executive Board Member (2018-present); University of Nebraska College of Law 2044 Alumni Advisory Board, founding board member, co-chairperson, Enhancing Applicant Pool subcommittee (2016-2018); Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, Chairperson, Executive Board Member (2008-2019); Nebraska State Bar Association Leadership Academy Class (2013-2014); Indian Center, Inc. Board of Directors, Secretary, Executive Committee, Planning and Development Committee Chair (2004-2008)
LEGAL AUTHORSHIP
What to Do When You Get an Indian Client: A Brief Overview, The Nebraska Lawyer (January/February 2016, Vol. 19, No. 1)
PRACTICE AREAS
Ms. Bear Eagle has extensive experience working with Indian tribes in all areas of tribal governance and self-determination. She has served as lead general counsel for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council. She worked closely with the Tribe’s standing committees, including the Finance and Economic & Business Development Committees, and the Executive Committee. She also served as general counsel to the Oglala Sioux Tribe Office of the Executive Director, where should worked closely with tribal programs. Prior to working for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Ms. Bear Eagle worked for a national law firm specializing in Indian law that served as general counsel for several Indian tribes. Ms. Bear Eagle gained substantial experience there, working closely with several tribal clients and providing general legal counsel services, with a specialization in tribal economic development and tribal governance.
Ms. Bear Eagle’s legal experience with Indian tribes runs the gamut of issues, including tribal economic development, tribal government matters, constitutional revision, contract review, gaming law, employment law, Tribal code drafting, fee-to-trust transactions, administrative hearings and litigation, and taxation matters, to name a few.
Ms. Bear Eagle has been instrumental in the creation of the Indian Law Section of the Nebraska State Bar Association and is an active member of the University of Nebraska College of Law Dean’s Advisory Board.
