M. Brent Leonhard Email & Phone Number

Pendleton, Or

In-house legal representation for a tribe with emphasis on federal indian law, amici appellate work, regional and national public safety law/policy development, cultural resource protection, and transactions. I am also a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Orgeon handling Indian country related cases.

Deputy Attorney General for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation where I provide general in-house legal representation to the Board of Trustees, Tribal departments, and various programs with emphasis on government contracts (tribal, federal, state, and local), federal indian law, real property, land use, and litigation.

Prosecuted criminal cases in district court and provide legal assistance to various City departments including the planning department on zoning, planning, growth management, and other related issues and the police department on various cases, warrants, and public disclosure requests.

Private practice focused on family law, business formations, construction law, and general civil litigation related matters, including a contract with the City of Walla Walla to provide prosecution services on criminal matters in district court. During this time I incorporated and served on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Museum of Walla Walla, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Managed a prosecution unit consisting of a deputy prosecutor, community prosecution coordinator, adult advocate, juvenile delinquency advocate, juvenile dependency advocate, victim witness program director, administrative assistant and secretary. Drafted, advocated, and administered all budgets from central Tribal land Federal grants that funded the office. Wrote, managed, and awarded four Federal grants (totaling over $650,000), and served as a grant reviewer for the Violence Against Women Office in Washington, DC. Maintained a full caseload of misdemeanor and felony-type adult criminal matters, as well as child dependency cases. Restructured the court system in a manner that ensured the prosecutor’s office reviewed and filed all complaints and were present at all court hearings.

Managed a public defender office consisting of two attorneys and two support staff. Management included all budget preparation, personnel management, and legislative proposals. I handled all criminal and appellate court cases. Caseloads consisted of over 700 open charges at any given time, roughly equivalent to 400-450 cases. Cases typically involved misdemeanor level offenses, but some involved what would otherwise be considered a felony within the State and Federal system. Representation included omnibus hearings and pre-dismissal hearings in every case.

Handled numerous criminal and child dependency cases in tribal court for the Public Defender Office. After three months, I was promoted to the Lead Public Defender and Program Manager position.

Jd, Law

Ba, Philosophy

Outstanding Graduate in Philosophy.