Leonika R. Charging
1905 Harney St., Ste. 300
Omaha, NE 68102
lcharging@bigfirelaw.com
TRIBAL AFFILIATION
Enrolled Member Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Crime & Delinquency Studies, University of Kansas (B.A. 1997)
Juris Doctor, University of South Dakota School of Law (J.D. 2003)
BAR ADMISSIONS
Kansas; South Dakota; Nebraska; North Dakota; Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals; U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska; U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota ;U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota; U.S. Court of Federal Claims; Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribal Court; Grand Traverse Bay Tribal Court; Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation – Fort Berthold District Court
PRIOR LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Partner, Fredericks Peebles & Morgan (2007-2019); Associate, Johnson Thompson, LLC (2004-2007); Legal Analyst, Santee Sioux Tribal Court (2003-2004); Law Clerk, Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker (2002)
ASSOCIATIONS AND HONORS
State of Bar South Dakota Indian Law Committee (2021-2022); Executive Board Member, Nebraska State Bar Association, Indian Law Section; American Bar Association (ABA) Law Practice Management Division Fellow; Editor, ABA Law Practice Today Magazine; ABA Women Rainmakers Committee; Super Lawyers Rising Star (2013-2014); Native American Bar Association; Federal Bar Association Indian Law Section; South Dakota State Bar Indian Law Committee; Member of Nebraska State Bar Association Leadership Academy (2011-2012); Nebraska Minority Corporate Counsel Program (2011); Association of Boxing Commissions Certified Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Judge (2009); Graduate of South Dakota State Bar Association Trial Lawyers Academy (2007); National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) “Native American 40 under 40” Award Recipient
LEGAL AUTHORSHIP
Practicing in Tribal Courts: A Rewarding Opportunity, The Nebraska Lawyer, July 2005; Atkinson v. Shirley: A Taxing Decision on Tribal Sovereign Power, 47 S.D.L. Rev. 134 (2002)
PRACTICE AREAS
Ms. Charging serves as counsel to various tribal corporations where she assists in development of tribal enterprises through corporate code development, including Business Corporations, Limited Liability Company, Debtor Creditor, and Secured Transactions laws. She has also assisted tribal clients with corporate structure and planning, assisting with every aspect from entity formation, to drafting bylaws and operating agreements, to corporate dissolution matters. She has also worked on government contracting matters including tribal 8(a) certification, laws, and regulatory compliance.
Ms. Charging has a wealth of experience in tribal governmental matters, including tribal constitutional revision projects, long-term strategic planning, and drafting tribal policies and procedures. She has worked on behalf of tribes to resolve P.L. 638 contract issues, employment law matters, and election disputes. She also works on matters concerning tribal gaming, including both management and regulatory issues. Ms. Charging has assisted tribes with both on-reservation and off-reservation fee-to-trust applications, as well as land and property issues.
