Attorney Profiles

Mr. Szotkowski comes to this firm with extensive experience in Indian-law issues. While working with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office from 1984 to 2004, Bill was involved with and coordinated a wide variety of tribal issues including jurisdictional disputes, land claims, treaty rights, Indian burial grounds, tribal government relations, and natural resource matters. During his tenure with the state, Mr. Szotkowski had principal responsibility for the federal court litigation of major cases involving Indian law issues. He served as lead attorney in several cases and also coordinated ongoing settlement efforts on behalf of the State. In this capacity, Bill was called upon to provide advice and briefings for the Governor's Office, key Legislators and State Agencies. Bill’s litigation experience has included a wide range of issues before courts on both the state and federal levels.

Bill has served as counsel for the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and the State Archaeologist’s Office. Other clients have included the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Department of Natural Resource’s Divisions of Forestry, Fish and Wildlife, Waters and Enforcement, along with Minnesota's Board of Water and Soil Resources.

Since joining the firm, Bill has represented tribal interests in tribal governance matters, contract negotiation, construction litigation matters and issues relating to Human Services and the Indian Child Welfare Act. Bill also represents a tribe defending its reservation boundaries in an ongoing case in federal district court.