Donald “Del” Laverdure, an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe of Montana (Ties the Bundle Clan) with ancestry from the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana, was appointed by then Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk to the post of Deputy Assistant Secretary beginning July 29, 2009.
Del Laverdure, a member of the Crow Tribe, is joining the Indian law and policy practice at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.
Laverdure has spent the last three-and-a-half years in leadership roles at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He’ll be bringing his management and policy expertise to his new job, where he will serve as a strategic advisor and will help tribes with tax, infrastructure, natural resource and other issues.
“Akin Gump has a strong and growing American Indian law group that has been a powerful advocate for tribal governmental interests,” Laverdure indicated in a press release. “The firm’s accomplishments on behalf of the Gila River, Crow, Osage and other tribes are significant examples of how they apply their knowledge of policy and the law to make a difference for their clients. I’m excited to work with this outstanding team.”
Laverdure joined the Obama administration in July 2009 and left in November 2012. During his tenure, he served as Acting Assistant Secretary, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.
Laverdure worked for his tribe prior to his BIA stint. He helped negotiate the tribe’s $460 million water rights settlement.
