Jana Simmons

Partner | Ropers Majeski

Jana focuses her practice on federal Indian law, tribal law, and defending tribal and non-tribal governments and businesses in complex civil litigation. Among her work in Indian Country, Jana assists tribal governments by creating and consulting on tribal existing and future ordinances and regulations, advising on internal governance and external government-to-government relations, conducting independent investigations involving internal employment-related complaints and violations of tribal law, preparing advisory opinions to protect tribal governments and businesses and legal representation in federal, state, and tribal courts. Jana has strong experience with tribal enrollment, elections, cannabis, and economic development. She has successfully litigated critical cases involving tribal constitutional interpretation and separation of powers in tribal courts. She attained, with honors, a Master of Jurisprudence in Federal Indian Law degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law in December 2018. Jana also promotes tribal court judges and judicial systems by working with state and local legal organizations to raise awareness among their members on the important function of tribal courts. Jana works closely with tribes and their insurance companies to strategically pursue defenses and protect tribes. Jana leverages an extensive background as a civil defense litigator, successfully representing tribal and non-tribal governments and businesses in complex civil litigation in matters ranging from general liability to construction and environmental. She is often called upon by tribal and non-tribal clients for advice on building successful business relationships, economic development in Indian Country, and questions about tribal law, sovereignty, and jurisdiction.