Bryan Newland

Bryan Newland is a principal in Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville's Indian Tribal Governments group.

Bryan's practice addresses a broad range of legal and policy issues affecting Indian tribes. He counsels tribal clients on matters related to federal Indian law, policy development, and government relations, drawing upon his extensive experience as the former Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior. In this role, he led the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and Bureau of Trust Funds Administration, overseeing key initiatives such as the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative.

Before his federal appointment, Bryan was President of the Bay Mills Indian Community, overseeing government operations, economic development, and the launch of the first tribally licensed internet gaming operation in the U.S. In his past work in private practice, Bryan provided legal counsel to Tribes and Indian-owned businesses on a range of issues.  That included negotiating tribal-state gaming compacts, litigation against federal agencies, and placing land into trust.

Earlier in his career, Bryan served as Chief Judge of the Bay Mills Indian Community Tribal Court and as a Counselor and Senior Policy Advisor at the Department of the Interior. He began his legal career at Dykema Gossett, PLLC, representing tribal clients in gaming, economic development, and regulatory matters.

Bryan received his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Michigan State University College of Law, where he also earned an Indian Law Certificate, and his Bachelor of Arts from James Madison College at Michigan State University. He is a recipient of the National American Indian Court Judges Association Judicial Excellence Award.  He is an enrolled member of the Bay Mills Indian Community.