Ethel Branch

Ethel Branch advises tribal governments and enterprises on a wide range of legal, governance, and business matters. Drawing on her experience as former Attorney General to the Navajo Nation, she provides strategic counsel on issues involving tribal sovereignty, governmental operations, economic development, gaming, taxation, finance, regulatory compliance, and high-stakes disputes.

As Attorney General, Ethel served as a trusted advisor to tribal leadership, providing legal and strategic guidance on governance, crisis response, complex litigation, regulatory reform, and major development initiatives. She has extensive experience working with tribal leaders, federal agencies, and state officials to address sensitive intergovernmental issues and develop solutions that advance tribal priorities while navigating complex legal and regulatory frameworks.

Ethel has significant experience in tribal finance and economic development. She advises clients on sophisticated financing transactions, capital projects, and economic development initiatives, including the structuring and review of financing documents and the legal and regulatory considerations associated with major infrastructure and business investments.

Ethel is particularly skilled at helping tribes protect and advance their sovereign interests through both litigation and negotiation. She regularly advises on matters involving sovereign authority, treaty rights, risk management, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance, providing practical guidance informed by firsthand experience in tribal government.

Prior to joining Miller Nash, Ethel served as the 11th and 13th Attorney General of the Navajo Nation, where she led efforts to protect the Nation’s water and voting rights and enhance public health and safety. She also served as a Deputy County Attorney with the Coconino County Attorney’s Office. Earlier in her career, Ethel practiced at a nationally recognized boutique tribal law firm, representing tribal governments and enterprises on a wide range of legal and governance matters.