Justin Solimon is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna. His family has a history of service to strengthening sovereignty and economic development in his home community. Justin is influenced by that history through his legal service to Indian tribes and tribally owned businesses, as well as individuals in Indian Country. Justin joined Barnhouse Keegan Solimon & West in 2013 and became a partner in 2015.
Justin’s practice has included a balance of both transactional and litigation services. He has tried cases in magistrate, state, and federal courts, and has served as appellate counsel in both state and federal courts of appeal. A majority of his work currently focuses on the representation of American Indian tribes and tribally owned entities throughout the United States in matters of tribal governance, taxation, employment, gaming, project development, liability defense, and other issues concerning the protection and development of tribal sovereignty. Justin has assisted tribes in protecting their lands, by negotiating complex rights-of-way and recovering payments for trespasses on tribal lands. He has also guided tribes through the start up of new business ventures, including beer manufacturing, cannabis cultivation, and entertainment venues. He has also worked to correct historic wrongs through his work on tribal land claims and land acquisitions to expand tribal land bases.
Justin holds a JD degree and an Indian Law Certificate from the University of New Mexico School of Law. He obtained his BA from Occidental College where he majored in Diplomacy and World Affairs. Justin is also an alumnus of the Pre-Law Summer Institute, where he subsequently served as a Teaching Assistant and regularly serves as a moot court judge.
Outside of his legal practice, Justin has dedicated time to serve on various boards and committees. Most recently, Justin served on the Native American Community Academy Governing Council and the Indian Law Section of the State Bar of New Mexico Board of Directors, where he served as Board Chair. He is the current President of the NACA Foundation Board of Directors.
Prior to entering law school, Justin taught Tribal Government and Communications at the Santa Fe Indian School, where he also coached various sports. Despite maintaining a busy law practice, Justin has found time to continue teaching by serving as an Adjunct Professor at the UNM School of Law, and he regularly provides presentations to classes and organizations regarding his practice.