Donald R. Pongrace advises American Indian tribes on various federal and state public policy issues and problems. He heads the firm’s American Indian law and policy group and supervises all matters within the group.
Practice & Background

From 1989 to 1993 Mr. Pongrace served as the managing partner of the firm’s Brussels office. Prior to transferring to Brussels for the office’s opening in 1989, he worked in the Washington office for four years, focusing on various public policy issues. In Brussels he represented clients in multilateral trade and investment projects and U.S.-EU bilateral economic relations.

Upon returning to the United States, Mr. Pongrace began representing certain tribal groups and interests on a wide variety of matters. He has served as the chief counsel and adviser on a number of highly significant tribal issues, including the largest Indian water settlement in U.S. history, and one of the largest trust mismanagement claims in U.S. history.

Mr. Pongrace received his B.A. magna cum laude in 1979 from Bates College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his J.D. magna cum laude in 1985 from American University, where he was note and comment editor of the American University Law Review. From 1985 until 1986 he was a law clerk to the Honorable H.E. Widener Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.
Awards & Accolades

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Native American law