About us

Jeff Tomhave, J.D.

Legislative genocide, which continues to eliminate more Indians than small pox or bullets ever could, is what compels Jeff to fight for Indian people. The requirements of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 have prevented Jeff’s mother and five siblings from legally claiming the full breadth of their native ancestry, and will prevent Jeff’s only child from ever being recognized as a tribal member. Despite being Ho-Chunck, Hidasta and Prairie Band Potowatomi, Jeff is enrolled only as a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation.

Jeff earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California at Davis School of Law, where he served as an officer of the Native American Law Student Association and taught the law school’s first course on tribal jurisdiction. In 1998, Jeff was recruited to Washington, D.C. to be the inaugural executive director for a tribal environmental organization. Jeff’s specialized areas of knowledge include Federal Indian Law, Public Lands law and Administrative Law.

Jeff is a recognized expert in federal Indian policy making and environmental protection who has published articles and spoken nationally on these complex issues.

Jeff conducts site visit to document Navajo’s transportation needs.

Brandy Tomhave, J.D.

Brandy went to law school to help people, especially people traditionally overlooked or abused by the law. After receiving her Juris Doctorate degree from Southern Methodist University Law School, Brandy worked first as a Public Defender, then as a Congressional staffer. She is an Oklahoma Choctaw descendent through her maternal grandmother, Lorraine Alcorn Hudson, who was an enrolled member of the tribe.

Brandy began her career on Capitol Hill working for Congressman Ted Strickland (D-OH) of the Commerce Committee. While handling a portfolio of issues that included criminal justice, telecommunications and appropriations, Brandy pioneered legislation that became law within one year and launched a U.S. Department of Justice initiative that has been funded every year since. To understand this accomplishment, consider that only 1 in 20 bills ever become law, and most of those take 10 years to happen.

As a tribal advocate, Brandy has not only secured millions of dollars to improve the quality of life for Indian people, but has also passed legislation to make federal agencies accountable for the United States trust responsibility to tribes.

Brandy examines the legacy of a trading post on the Navajo Nation, near Cameron Arizona.

jeff@tomhavegroup.com

brandy@tomhavegroup.com