Biography

Kyle T. Nayback (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) re-joined the firm, Of Counsel, in 2023.  Previously, he clerked for the firm in 1995 and was an associate attorney from 1996-1999.  Mr. Nayback joined the National Indian Gaming Commission in 1999 where he served as the Director of Congressional and Public affairs.  His duties included representing the NIGC on Capitol Hill, serving as spokesperson for media communications.  He also developed proficiency in gaming compliance and gaming device classifications.  He then joined the United States Department of Justice in 2001 as  Deputy Director of the Office of Tribal Justice, where he worked all matters within OTJ’s purview such as contributing to the federal government’s legal strategy on federal Indian law cases before the United States Supreme Court.  He also worked with DOJ grantees from Indian Country on implementation of DOJ grant programs.  From 2003 to 2023 Mr. Nayback served as an Assistant United States Attorney, Tribal Liaison and Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico.  In those capacities, he served as counsel for the United States in 34 federal trials and 11 Tenth Circuit appeals.  Mr. Nayback has represented tribes and tribal organizations in federal, state and tribal courts on matters including gaming compact negotiations, election disputes, water rights, jurisdictional disputes, tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.