Luis Ochoa

Wide-ranging, experienced counsel on Indian and tribal law

Luis Ochoa has more than 25 years of legal experience in real estate, Indian law and policy, tribal housing, gaming, business entity formation, real estate development, leasing on non-tribal fee land, tribal trust and allotted land, the application of federal and state tax law to tribal activities, and economic development activities undertaken by tribes, tribal members and non-Indian business clients.

• Represents two of the nation's largest tribally-designated housing entities.
• Advises on compliance with the requirements of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA).
• Navigates federal and state gaming law, with emphasis on Indian gaming and Arizona and National Indian Gaming Commission regulatory issues.
• Represents tribal gaming commissions/offices and casino management entities in regulatory and operations matters.
• Counsels nonprofit entities regarding corporate and tax issues, including obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status, unrelated business income tax planning and compliance, fundraising registration and risk management issues.

• Representation in all phases and successful closings of five Arizona Department of Housing low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) financed housing projects on tribal trust lands. Representation also involved securing BIA-approved master leases of tribal trust land for each project between each of the tribes and their respective tribally-designated housing authorities, together with LIHTC project subleases for project site control requirements.