Robert O. Saunooke

Robert Saunooke is a citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and has been practicing law for over 30 years. Over his career, Robert’s practice has focused on representing Native American tribes, their members and litigating Native American issues. He has served as legislative counsel for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Policy Advisor for the Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and outside counsel to tribes across the Country.

At Singleton Schreiber, Mr. Saunooke continues his representation of Native American Tribes, protection of their rights, and securing justice for tribal members. His work focuses on damages caused by corporations to native land and people. In addition to his expertise in Federal Indian Law, Mr. Saunooke played an instrumental role in exposing steroid use in sports while representing Jose Canseco.  From 2005 through 2010 Mr. Saunooke assisted Canseco in testifying before Congress, publishing two books on the subject and appearing on numerous panels and programs discussing the issue of steroid use in college and professional sports. 

Mr. Saunooke is very active in various organizations, including being the only male board member of the Broward County Women Lawyers Association.  In addition to BCWLA Robert is currently the President of the National Native American Bar Association. Mr. Saunooke has also served in a number of positions in the American Bar Association including Chairman of Tribal Courts Council; Presidential Appointments Committee; Co-Chair of the Minority Judicial Clerkship Program; State and Local Government Native American Committee Chair; and the Lawyers Conference within the Judicial Division.  He has also contributed a number of articles to the ABA Judicial Journal, including overseeing issues dedicated solely to Native American concerns and the impact of law in Native American communities.

Robert attended Brigham Young University, where he was a member of the BYU Cougars football team from 1982 to 1987. Robert majored in Art History and pursued a career in museum studies and curatorial work before deciding to attend law school at Washington and Lee University to continue a long familial history of working in the field of Native American law. 

Mr. Saunooke is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Florida and is also admitted to practice before all federal appellate courts and the United States Supreme Court, as well as the US Tax Court and Bankruptcy Courts of the United States.

Robert is an avid motorcycle rider, having ridden in every state in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, he is a dedicated father, husband and loves to exercise to keep him ready for his rides.

• Outstanding Program Award National Conference of Women Bar Associations for “Maze of Injustice” and the Violence against Women’s Act, 2014
• Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Man of the Year, 2013

Affiliations

• Seminole Tribal Court
• Hispanic National Bare Association
• National Native American Bar Association
• National Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association; Indian Law Section
• American Bar Association
• BCBA
• Broward County Women Lawyers Association
• TJ Reddic Bar Association
• SSBA
• Brown County Home Builders Association
• Stephen Booher Inns of Court, Broward County

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