LEROY W. WILDER
Attorney

  E-mail:lwilder@hk-law.com
  Phone: 503 225-0777

BACKGROUND Mr. Wilder, a California Native, is a member of the Karuk Tribe and is one of two attorneys who were the first California Indians admitted to the California bar. He earned a B.S. in Social Science from Oregon State University in 1967 and a J.D. from Golden Gate University in 1973. He was editor-in-chief of the Golden Gate Law Review. Mr. Wilder has been an adjunct professor of federal Indian law at the Northwestern School of Law.

AREAS OF PRACTICE Mr. Wilder has represented Indian tribes and Alaska Natives for over 30 years, including court and jury trials, appellate litigation and administrative advocacy. His jury trial work has included successful civil litigation and criminal defenses to charges of fishing law violations against tribal members exercising Indian fishing rights. His appellate litigation has included participation in the preparation of briefs for the United States Supreme Court in several important Indian rights cases, including United States v. John (Indian country), Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe (tribal criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians), U.S. v. Washington (treaty fishing rights) and Cook Inlet Tribal Council v. Catholic Social Services, Inc. (cert denied in an important Indian Child Welfare Act case.) He has done appellate work before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Oregon Supreme Court, numerous tribal and other courts and administrative agencies. 

Mr. Wilder has worked extensively in the area of tribal economic development, including tribal gaming. He has assisted in establishing business entities and negotiated numerous complex business transactions on behalf of the Metlakatla Indian Community, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and others. Mr. Wilder also has represented a number on non-Indian commercial entities in their business relationships with Indian tribes.

Mr. Wilder has represented Indian clients before the United States Congress and state legislatures. Nationally, he played principal roles in efforts leading to federal protection for Indian families under the Indian Child Welfare Act and tribal archaeological resources under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. In Oregon, he drafted and participated in passage of a law granting authority to the governor, without legislative sanction, to enter into agreements with Indian tribes.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Oregon State Bar
• California State Bar
• District of Columbia Bar
• American Indian Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Multnomah County Bar
• Federal Bar Association

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

• Oregon Courts
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
• United States Supreme Court
• Tribal Courts:
• Confederated Tribes of Siletz
• Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
• Collville Confederated Tribes
• Kootenai Tribe of Idaho
• Metlakatla Indian Community

AWARDS AND HONORS Mr. Wilder is a Vietnam War veteran in which he led an infantry company in combat in the central highlands. He was honorably discharged in 1973 with the rank of captain. He received two bronze stars, the army commendation medal, the air medal and several other decorations.

Mr. Wilder recently was awarded the American Bar Association’s “Spirit of Excellence Award” for promoting racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession. 

SOCIAL AND FAMILY Mr. Wilder is married to Doni Wilder, who also is active in Indian affairs. He has an adult daughter and son.  Doni and he dote on three grandsons. Mr. Wilder is an avid golfer.