Kerry K. Patterson
Partner
Services & Specializations
Admissions
Arizona
Address
4800 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 2000, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
525 B Street, Suite 2200, San Diego, CA 92101
Office Tel.
619.515.3295
Fax
619.788.5505
Overview
Kerry focuses on gaming, commercial transactions, leasing, finance and economic development in Indian country, and has developed gaming projects and negotiated tribal-state gaming compacts in several jurisdictions. She leads lease negotiations and resolves environmental conflicts, and has extensive experience engaging with state and federal governments on behalf of clients, whose interests include gaming ordinances, financings, development and management agreements, land into trust and Indian lands determinations. Kerry is an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians, and leads Procopio’s Native American Law practice.
- Refinanced multi-million dollar loans for tribal entity client, including providing guidance regarding Indian gaming law, tribal corporate governance law, and sovereign immunity and jurisdictional issues.
- Directed multimillion dollar real estate and gaming projects involving Native American land and dealing proactively with the state and federal agencies including the Department on Interior and National Indian Gaming Commission.
- Negotiated complex real estate deal for the Navajo Nation to build the Twin Arrows Casino, a $120 million gaming facility, golf course and resort on 405 acres 20 miles east of Flagstaff.
- Developed and financed a $458 million gaming project in Southern California.
- Represented tribal non-profit organization in acquiring and developing 200+ acres for a museum and other projects in New Mexico.
- Represented California tribe in negotiations with state and federal agencies to obtain improved access to the tribe’s reservation.
- Assisted Arizona tribe in obtaining an Indian Lands determination for development of a large-scale casino/hotel project.
- Advised hotel developer regarding lease and loan documentation for a hotel project located on a reservation in Arizona.
- Facilitated economic development and provide financing advice in Indian Country by assisting developers and lenders in understanding federal and tribal laws related to Indian lands.
“For many years now, Kerry Patterson has been more than just a legal counsel for our tribe, she has been an indispensable part of our growing success. She has guided us through numerous legal challenges, including regulatory obstacles and daunting litigation. With her assistance the business opportunities and financial security of our tribe has grown significantly. It’s inspiring to be represented by an attorney and firm with such a deep understanding of the unique legal challenges faced by federally recognized tribes. I look forward to continuing to work with Kerry and Procopio in the years to come.” – Erica Pinto, Chair, Jamul Indian Village (a Kumeyaay Nation band)
DISCLAIMER: These testimonials or endorsements do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
- Best Lawyers®, Gaming Law, Native American Law, and Real Estate Law, 2019-present
- Top 40 Leaders Under 40, Phoenix Business Journal
- Indian Country’s Top Leaders Under 40, National Center for American Indian Economic Development
- JD, Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (Certificate in Indian Law), 2001
- BA, State University of New York, Fredonia, 1997
- Speaker. “Sustainable Tribal Development: The Jamul Indian Village Master Plan,” Construction in Indian Country Conference, Chandler, Arizona, October 3, 2024.
- Presenter. “The Evolution of Tribal/State Compacts in California,” 22nd Annual Western Indian Gaming Conference, February 2017.
- Presenter. “Tribal Gaming Legal Issues with States,” Winter Meeting of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, January 2017.
- Author. “NIGC’s Plan For Enviro Review Exclusion Is Good News,” Law360, April 2015.
- Founding Member and Current Board Member of the Native American Bar Association of Arizona
- Gaming Law Journal, Editorial Board Advisory Committee, William J. Boyd School of Law
- Federal Bar Association Phoenix Chapter, Board Member
- Indian Law and Real Estate Section State Bar of Arizona, Member
- Fort McDowell Yavapai Indian Community, Administrative Law Judge
- “Majority of U.S. States, 75 Members of Congress, and More Than 30 Organizations File Amicus Briefs in Support of Native American Families and Children,” News Maven, December 16, 2019.
- Westney, Andrew. “Native Groups, Profs, States Champion ICWA to 5th Circ.,” Law360, December 13, 2019.
- Abourezk, Kevin. “’We were born for this’: Native women overcome obstacles in the legal field,” Indianz.com, May 3, 2019.
- Westney, Andrew. “Feds Say Indian Child Welfare Law Must Stand,” Law360, January 17, 2019.
- Westney, Andrew. “Tribes May Lose Leverage for Casinos Without DOI Fail-Safe,” Law 360, May 5, 2017.
