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Brenda Tomaras
Brenda L. Tomaras is a partner in the law firm of Tomaras & Ogas, LLP. Brenda graduated cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law where she earned her J.D. in 1994. Brenda earned her B.A. in Linguistics from University of California, San Diego in 1985, and also has an M.A. in Linguistics from San Diego State University.
Prior to becoming a founding partner of Tomaras & Ogas, Brenda was a Senior Staff Attorney at California Indian Legal Services (CILS), one of the State’s leading Indian law firms. Ms. Tomaras also spent six years practicing civil litigation in several of San Diego’s civil defense firms, including as an associate at Walsh & Furcolo, LLP.
Ms. Tomaras has extensive experience in fee-to-trust land transfer matters, environmental law and cultural resources protection and tribal governmental affairs. She has also served as general counsel for a number of tribes and tribal entities. In addition to representing tribes in all aspects of the fee-to-trust process, including IBIA and Federal Court challenges, Ms. Tomaras has worked closely with the California Fee-to-Trust Consortium. Ms. Tomaras has worked with both NEPA and CEQA, both from the aspects of developing appropriate environmental analysis documents and challenging inadequate protection for cultural resources and the environment. Ms. Tomaras has assisted tribes with tribal governance, including drafting and amending constitutions, enrollment ordinances, election ordinances, and other aspects of self-government. Ms. Tomaras has also represented tribes in the negotiation of Memoranda of Understanding with cities and counties, and in the implementation of such agreements. Ms. Tomaras currently represents tribal non-profit entities which have been formed by a consortium of tribes for the protection of the environment and preservation of cultural landscapes.
Brenda is licensed to practice law in the State of California, the Federal Districts in California and the Ninth Circuit. Brenda is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association and the California Indian Law Association.
Kathryn Ogas
Kathryn Ogas is a partner in the law firm of Tomaras & Ogas, LLP. Kathryn earned her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1999. Kathryn earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1996.
Prior to becoming a founding partner of Tomaras & Ogas, Kathryn worked as a Staff Attorney at California Indian Legal Services (CILS), one of the State’s leading Indian law firms. In addition, Ms. Ogas worked as a law clerk at the Washington D.C. office of Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, a prominent Washington D.C. Indian law firm.
Kathryn’s primary focus is on Indian law. Kathryn has extensive experience in representing Indian Tribes and Tribal enterprises on a wide range of legal matters, including employment, gaming (Class II and Class III), economic development, ordinance and regulation drafting, and Indian Child Welfare Act matters (juvenile dependency and guardianships). Kathryn is also experienced in representing Tribes concerning the business aspects of gaming operations. She also represents a number of Tribal casino operations on day-to-day legal matters, which include, employment, tax, union and contractual issues.
Kathryn also provides legal services to non-tribal entities and individuals regarding employment law, contractual issues, estate planning, and conservatorship/guardianship matters.
Kathryn is licensed to practice law in the State of California. Kathryn is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and the California Indian Law Association.
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