W. Blake Follis

Mr. Follis is a Partner with Peebles Bergin Schulte & Robinson LLP; a national law firm dedicated to the representation and advancement of Indian tribes, and tribal-related entities. He is a citizen of the Modoc Nation with nearly fifteen years of experience assisting Tribes navigate the unique legal standing and political relationships in the United States. Mr. Follis represents clients ranging from tribal governments, tribal agencies, tribal entities, Indian owned businesses and organizations, and the civil rights of Indians, in a variety of complex legal matters. Over the past three years, Mr. Follis has taught American Indian Law and Federal Indian Law as an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law and at Washburn University School of Law.

Mr. Follis joined the Firm in 2020, previously serving as the first Modoc Nation Attorney General from 2018-2019, and as in-house counsel for the Modoc Nation prior to that. Prior to the appointment as Attorney General for the Modoc Nation, Mr. Follis held and maintained the roles of Special Assistant to the Chief, Environmental Director, Modoc Bison Director, and Inter-Tribal Buffalo Council (ITBC) Representative - serving as ITBC Region 2 Director, Board Member and Officer for several Modoc economic entities and governmental agencies. During his tenure at the Modoc Nation, Mr. Follis oversaw the acquisition of over 1,100 acres of Modoc ancestral homelands, including a municipal airport that the tribe owns. From 2016-2019, he served as the Member at Large for the State of Kansas Water Office on the Kansas Regional Advisory Committee.

Honors:

In 2019, Mr. Follis was selected by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) as a recipient of the prestigious 40 under 40 award that recognizes young Native leaders who have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication and made significant contributions in business, their professions, and in their communities.Selected by Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list for Native American Law: 2024 - 2025.