Wilda Wahpepah

Wilda Wahpepah is special counsel in the Finance and Bankruptcy Practice Group in the firm's Washington, D.C. office.

Areas of Practice

Wilda represents tribal governments, businesses and entities doing business with tribes across the country. Her areas of emphasis include regulatory counseling and advice related to tribal jurisdiction and governmental matters, gaming, finance and business development, natural resources and environmental law. Wilda represents tribal governments in state, federal and tribal courts. She is an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

Honors

Native American Editorial Advisory Board, Law360, 2022

Leading Lawyer - Native American Law, Chambers USA, 2018-2024

Up-and-Coming, Native American Law, Chambers USA, 2017

Lawyer of the Year - Native American Law, Best Lawyers, 2022

Best Lawyer in America, Best Lawyers, 2015-2025

Articles

• Co-Author, "The Sustained Attack on Tribal Sovereign Immunity - the Increased Application of the Ex Parte Young Doctrine to Tribal Governmental Officers," California Indian Law Association Newsletter, Spring 2013
• "Are Tribal Corps. Eligible For Bankruptcy Protection?" Law360, March 13, 2013
• Co-Author, “Piercing the Tribal Corporate Veil,” Minnesota CLE Annual Indian Law CLE, Prairie Island, Minnesota, May 18, 2012
• Co-Author, “Hot Topics in Native American Financing, 2011,” Lorman Education Services, Online Webinar, November 3, 2011
• Author, “Internet Gaming,” William Mitchell College of Law Second Annual Indian Law CLE, St. Paul, Minnesota, October 17, 2011
• Co-Author, “Drafting Enforceable Contracts in Indian Country,” Minnesota CLE Annual Business Law Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 5, 2011
• "Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Lake of the Torches Economic Development Corp," Conference on Consumer Finance Law Quarterly Report, Spring 2011 

Finance & Bankruptcy Law Blog Posts

• "NIGC Issues New Guidance on Financing Document Reviews and Declination Letters," October 7, 2021
• "Federal Reserve Clarifies that Distributions to Tribal Governments are Permitted Under the Main Street Lending Program," July 15, 2020
• "How Can the CARES Act Help My Tribe? A Briefing on Economic Stimulus for Tribes," April 1, 2020

• "When the “Lights Go Out on Broadway” Will the Lights on Tribal Slot Machines be Next? What Do State COVID-19 Emergency Actions Mean for Tribal Gaming Operations?," March 17, 2020

• "Federal Court Limits Tribe’s, Secretary’s Options When State Balks at Gaming Compact," October 22, 2014
• "U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community et al.," May 27, 2014
• "Interior’s Carcieri Opinion Means More Diligence for Trust Land Development Projects," March 14, 2014
• "Tribal Corporate Bankruptcy Petition Raises Issues of First Impression for Bankruptcy Court," March 7, 2013

Media Mentions

Speaking Engagements

• Instructor, Oklahoma State University Tribal Finance and Accounting Program, Tribal Business Law, May 10, 2022, Stillwater, Oklahoma
• Presenter, “Hot Topics in Native American Financing 2014,” Lorman Education Services Webinar, November 20, 2014
• Panelist, “Negotiating Sovereignty in a Market Economy,” The Native American Finance Officers Association’s (NAFOA) 32nd Annual Conference, April 14, 2014
• Co-Presenter, “Piercing the Tribal Corporate Veil,” Minnesota CLE Annual Indian Law CLE, Prairie Island, Minnesota, May 18, 2012
• Panelist, “This is My Story,” Hamline University Hedgeman Center for Diversity Initiatives, St. Paul, Minnesota, November 10, 2011
• Co-Presenter, “Hot Topics in Native American Financing, 2011,” Lorman Education Services, Online Webinar, November 3, 2011
• Presenter, “Internet Gaming,” William Mitchell College of Law Second Annual Indian Law CLE, St. Paul, Minnesota, October 17, 2011
• Co-Presenter, “Drafting Enforceable Contracts in Indian Country,” Minnesota CLE Annual Business Law Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 5, 2011
• Panelist, “The Practice of Indian Law and the Politics of Identity,” William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, April 4, 2011
• Presenter, “Indian Energy: History, Policy and Moving Forward with Strength,” Native American Finance Officers Association Conference, Pala, California, March 22, 2011
• Presenter, “Wind Power on Tribal Lands,” Midwest Wind Summit, Brookings, South Dakota, October 10, 2010
• Presenter, “Hot Topics in Indian Law,” Federal Bar Association’s 34th Annual Indian Law Conference, Santa Fe, New Mexico, April 2, 2009

Events