Suzanne Schaeffer

Practice Areas

Suzanne (Susi) Schaeffer is a member of the Public Policy and Regulation practice and the Native American Law and Policy practice group. Her practice concentrates on Indian lands and environmental compliance issues. Susi draws on years of experience in both the federal government and the private sector working to resolve legal issues pertaining to Indian lands, natural resources and the federal environmental regulatory system. Susi advises clients in acquiring land in trust for both gaming and non-gaming purposes pursuant to the fee-to-trust authorities of the US Department of the Interior (DOI), and has extensive experience working with DOI. She is well versed in other Indian land issues, including land claims, leasing and rights-of-way over Indian lands, and Section 81 approval requirements.

Susi also has extensive experience in environmental regulatory issues on Indian lands, counseling clients regarding compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other environmental requirements for acquiring land in trust. She also provides advice regarding environmental regulatory and jurisdictional issues, such as Treatment as a State status, tribal environmental ordinances and the extent of state, tribal and federal permitting authority. Additionally, Susi is very familiar with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and has significant experience working with both DOI and the National Indian Gaming Commission on gaming matters. She also advises tribes on federal funding issues and opportunities.