Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier, Partner at our Phoenix law office
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Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier

Partner
Biography

Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier is nationally recognized in the areas of Native American Law, Gaming Law, and Business Litigation. She represents tribes, tribal entities and businesses who engage in commercial transactions in Indian Country, including gaming licensing, compacting, economic development, and governmental matters.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona
  • Various Tribal Courts


Education

  • University of Iowa, College of Law (J.D., with Distinction)
  • University of Iowa (B.A., Journalism and Broadcasting (double major), with Distinction)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • Outstanding Women in Business, Phoenix Business Journal (2024)
  • Top 40 Most Influential Women in iGaming (2024)
  • Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, AzBusiness Magazine (2024)
  • Who’s Who Legal: Telecoms Media & Entertainment (2024)
  • Who’s Who Legal: Sports & Gaming (2014-2023)
  • AZ Business Leaders, AZ Business Leaders Magazine (2020-2024)
  • Business Today, Top 10 Influential Native American Law Attorneys in Arizona (2023)
  • Top 25 Attorneys of Arizona, Attorney Intel (2023)
    • Native American Law, Gaming Law, and Business Litigation
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Gaming Law, Native American Law, Commercial Litigation (2005-2025)
    • Phoenix Native American Law “Lawyer of the Year” (2015, 2017, 2024)
    • Phoenix Gaming “Lawyer of the Year” (2011, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022)
  • Chambers USA: AMERICA’S LEADING LAWYERS FOR BUSINESS®, Gaming & Licensing (only AZ lawyer) (2009-2024)
  • Chambers Global: AMERICA’S LEADING LAWYERS FOR BUSINESS®, Native American Law, Gaming & Licensing (among select group of US lawyers) (2012-2024)
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Native American Law (2015-2022)
  • Arizona Capitol Times, Inaugural Women Achievers of Arizona (2019)
  • Maricopa County Bar Association, Hall of Fame Inductee (2019)
  • Jean Allard Glass Cutter Award, ABA Business Law Section (2019)
  • Phoenix Greater Chamber ATHENA Awards Finalist (2019)
  • University of Iowa College of Law Alumni Service Award (2019)
  • AZ BUSINESS Most Influential Women (2016)
  • Top Ten Great Women of Gaming (2006)
  • First American Leadership Award, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (2001)
  • Valley Influential-Law, Phoenix Business Journal (1999)

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • International Masters of Gaming Law, Past President
  • Executive Editor, Gaming Law Review and Economics
  • International Association of Gaming Advisors
  • State Bar of Arizona
    • Indian Law Section, Founding Member and Past Chairperson
    • Young Lawyers Division, Past Executive Officer
    • Arizona High School Mock Trial Program, Past State Legal Counsel Coordinator
  • Maricopa County Bar Association
    • Board of Directors, Past President
    • Young Lawyers Division, Past President
  • Native American Bar Association of Arizona, Founding Member
  • ABA Business Law Section:
    • Vice Chair and Editor in Chief, The Business Lawyer (2024-2025); Secretary (2023-2024); Council (2003-2008, 2019-Present); Co-Chair, “Business Law Today” Editorial Board, Co-Chair, ABA Relations Committee; Past Chair & Member of Committee Support & Resource Board (2020-2023); Co-Chair of State/Local/Affinity Bar Task Force (2020-2021); Chair, Committee on Strategic Planning (2004-2006) and Member (2003-2004); Committee on Committee Support and Structure (2006-2008); Nominating Committee (2003-2004, 2019-2020)
    • Business and Corporate Litigation Committee, Chair (2016-2019); Annual Review Co-Author, Tribal Litigation Chapter; Past Chair, Publications Subcommittee; Past Chair, Tribal Court Litigation Subcommittee
    • Editorial Board of “Business Law Today,” (1997-2004); Editor-in-Chief (2001-2004)
    • Co-Chair, Fellows Program (2000-2002)
    • Fellow (1998-2000)
  • ABA Young Lawyers Division:
    • Fellows of the Young Lawyers Division (1998-Present)
    • Cabinet and Executive Council (1993-98); Officer (1995-1998)

Community Involvement

  • Women’s Leadership Council for Valley of the Sun United Way, Inaugural Member
  • Tocqueville Society, Valley of the Sun United Way
  • Maricopa County Justice Museum & Learning Center, Founding Member
  • Arizona Women Lawyers Honoring Justice O’Connor, Founding Member
  • University of Iowa College of Law Foundation, Lifetime Honorary Director
  • ASU Native American Law Students, Mentor
  • Arcadia Cares: Food for Kidz Packathon Committee

Representative Presentations and Publications