mctlaw Attorney Wins Case in Tribal Court: Judge Reinstates Tribal Membership

At the Squaxin Island Indian Tribe in Shelton, Washington, an enrollment audit conducted by the tribal government led to the disenrollment of 43 tribal members, including Sally Brownfield and her adult son, Jess Brownfield.  The Brownfields were shocked by this decision, and they engaged attorney Kehl Van Winkle with the Seattle Office of mctlaw to appeal their disenrollments.  After receiving briefing and hearing oral argument from Mr. Van Winkle and the Tribe’s attorney, a Squaxin Island Tribal Judge ruled on January 12, 2026 in the Brownfields’ favor, holding that their disenrollment was arbitrary and capricious and overturning the decision to disenroll them.

Sally Brownfield is a proud tribal member who has lived on the Reservation and served her Tribe for years. In fact, the Tribe’s health clinic is named after her mother, who also was a tribal advocate. Sally and Jess Brownfield were overjoyed that the Tribal Court was willing to carefully consider their case and ultimately rule in favor of their family. As to her legal representation from Attorney Kehl Van Winkle, Sally Brownfield said, “We couldn’t have done it without him. He was always available to talk things through and put everything that needed to be said in the proper way. Tribal communities need a lot more firms and attorneys like mctlaw that will take on cases for the people.”

Kehl Van Winkle is proud to represent the Brownfields and happy for their victory. “Cases like these, regarding internal tribal matters, are always tough and speak to some of the core issues of sovereignty and tribal identity. I am so pleased for Sally and Jess to be restored to their tribal membership and am thankful for the opportunity to help them.”

Read the Decision on Appeal for Selvidge-Brownfield, Brownfield, Brown-Creekpaum here.