Legal
Director: Steven Moe
Email: smoe@pgst.nsn.us
PGST Legal helps the Tribe exercise its jurisdiction to the fullest extent possible. The Department aims to protect and strengthen the Tribe’s sovereignty over its land and resources and to help the Council and Tribal staff promote the health, safety, and welfare of all members of the Tribe.
Useful Links:
Programs/services offered:
- Contract negotiation and review
- Assistance in land acquisition and the land-into-trust process
- Developing tribal law and policy
- Advocating for favorable federal and state laws and policies
- Improving internal controls and administrative efficiency
The Legal Department works with every department and program within the Tribe and serves as the counsel to the Tribe in its dealings with tribal, federal, state, county, and local governments as well as with corporations and non-profit entities that do business with or provide services to the Tribe.
Resources:
- Special General Council Legal Department PPT: Access to Tribal Government (presented September 21, 2022)
- Special General Council Legal Department PPT: Tribal Entities, Tribal Boards & Committees, and Tribal Court (presented May 16, 2023)
- Agenda Request Training
Staff
Steven Moe, Director/Lead Tribal Attorney
Steven joined the PGST Legal Department in June 2009, after serving for several years as Tribal Attorney at the Hoopa Valley Tribe in California. Former Managing Attorney Gina Steiner (enrolled PGST) built the Legal Department into its current shape. Her mentorship until the end of 2024 was invaluable in preparing Steven for his current role as Lead Attorney. His work usually ranges from advising on day-to-day tribal government processes, small and large contract review, support to any PGST department, especially Natural Resources, Planning, Accounting, Executive and Administrative leadership, the Tribal Chair and Tribal Council, and colleagues at every level of tribal government and entities. In his spare time, Steven has been learning new perspectives on his family’s tradition of woodworking. His daughters grew up at the north border of the PGST Rez and are finishing college soon. He particularly enjoys beach-combing and walking the Hansville forest trails with his wife Bess and the dogs. You can call him Steve; lots of people do.
Eric Eberhard, Tribal Business Attorney
Eric is a mentor and encyclopedia of legal and policy matters affecting Indian Country. He is also a Professor from Practice and the Associate Director of the Native American Law Center at the University of Washington School of Law. He began practicing federal Indian law in 1973, with employment at DNA People’s Legal Services on the Navajo, Hopi and White Mountain Apache reservations. His work and teaching experience includes every area of Indian law and employment as the Deputy Attorney General of the Navajo Nation, Executive Director of the Navajo Nation Washington Office, Staff Director and General Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, private practice for numerous tribes, and Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation. Eric has been part of the PGST Legal staff since 2009.
David Robinson, Deputy Directing Attorney
drobinson@pgst.nsn.us
360.297.6257
David came to the PGST Legal Department in January 2024, after spending more than eight years working in state government. David began as the Legislative Attorney and now serves as the Department’s Deputy. His work covers anything that might come through the door. David feels privileged to serve the Tribe alongside Steven, Eric, and Michele. He is grateful for their constant mentorship, friendship, and patience.
It is an honor to serve the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and work alongside its members.
Michele Fukawa, Tribal Attorney
360.297.6274