Robert Anderson is a Professor and Director of the Native American Law Center at the University of Washington School of Law, and is the Oneida Indian Nation Visiting Professor of Law at Harvard Law School where he teaches annually. He teaches primarily in the areas of American Indian law, water law, natural resources law, and property law. He is a co-author and member of the Board of Editors of COHEN'S HANDBOOK OF FEDERAL INDIAN LAW (2005) and (2012). He is a co-author of Anderson, Berger, Frickey and Krakoff, AMERICAN INDIAN LAW: CASES AND COMMENTARY (3RD ED. 2015). He spent twelve years as a Staff Attorney for the Boulder-based Native American Rights Fund where he litigated major cases involving Native American sovereignty and natural resources. He was one of the two attorneys who opened NARF's Alaska office in 1984. From 1995-2001, he served as a political appointee in the Clinton Administration under Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, providing legal and policy advice on a wide variety of Indian law and natural resource issues. Bob was the co-chair of the Obama transition team for the Department of the Interior in 2008, and one of five members of the National Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform. He is a member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe.

Education
B.A. 1980, Bemidji State University J.D. 1983, University of Minnesota
Areas of Expertise
American Indian Law — Property Law — Water Law
Selected Publications
- Robert T. Anderson, The Katie John Litigation: A Continuing Search for Alaska Native Fishing Rights after ANCSA, 51 Ariz. St. L. J. 845-77 (2019).
- Robert T. Anderson, Indigenous Rights to Water & Environmental Protection, 53 Harv. C.R.-C.L. L. Rev. 337-79 (2018).
- Robert T. Anderson, Protecting Offshore Areas from Oil and Gas Leasing: Presidential Authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Antiquities Act, 44 Ecology L.Q. 727-65 (2018).
- Robert T. Anderson, Sovereignty and Subsistence: Native Self-Government and Rights to Hunt, Fish, and Gather after ANCSA, 33 Alaska L. Rev. 187-227 (2016).
- Robert T. Anderson, Federal Treaty and Trust Obligations, and Ocean Acidification, 6 Wash. J. Envtl. L. & Pol'y 474-95 (2016).
See the full list under the Publications tab below.
Peer Reviewed Journals & Law Reviews
- Robert T. Anderson, The Katie John Litigation: A Continuing Search for Alaska Native Fishing Rights after ANCSA, 51 Ariz. St. L. J. 845-77 (2019).
- Robert T. Anderson, Indigenous Rights to Water & Environmental Protection, 53 Harv. C.R.-C.L. L. Rev. 337-79 (2018).
- Philip Womble, Debra Perrone, Scott Jasechko, Rebecca L. Nelson, Leon F. Szeptycki, Robert T. Anderson & Steven M. Gorellick, Indigenous Communities, Groundwater Opportunities: A U.S. Court Decision Unlocks Vast Potential to Improve Sustainable Freshwater Management, 361 Science 453 (2018).
- Robert T. Anderson, Protecting Offshore Areas from Oil and Gas Leasing: Presidential Authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Antiquities Act, 44 Ecology L.Q. 727-65 (2018).
- Robert T. Anderson, Sovereignty and Subsistence: Native Self-Government and Rights to Hunt, Fish, and Gather after ANCSA, 33 Alaska L. Rev. 187-227 (2016).
- Robert T. Anderson, Federal Treaty and Trust Obligations, and Ocean Acidification, 6 Wash. J. Envtl. L. & Pol'y 474-95 (2016).
- Robert T. Anderson, Water Rights, Water Quality, and Regulatory Jurisdiction in Indian Country, 34 Stan. Envtl. L.J. 195-245 (2015).
- Robert T. Anderson, Negotiating Jurisdiction: Retroceding State Authority over Indian Country Granted by Public Law 280, 87 Wash. L. Rev. 915-64 (2012).
- Robert T. Anderson, Indian Water Rights, Practical Reasoning, and Negotiated Settlements, 98 Calif. L. Rev. 1133-63 (2010).
- Robert T. Anderson, Alaska Native Rights, Statehood, and Unfinished Business, 43 Tulsa L. Rev. 17-41 (2007).
- Robert T. Anderson, Indian Water Rights and the Federal Trust Responsibility, 46 Nat. Resources J. 399-437 (2006).
- Robert T. Anderson, Indian Water Rights: Litigation and Settlements, 42 Tulsa L. Rev. 23-35 (2006).
- Robert T. Anderson, Criminal Jurisdiction, Tribal Courts and Public Defenders, Kan. J.L. & Pub. Pol’y, Fall 2003, at 139-52 (2003).
Books or Treatises
- Robert T. Anderson, Bethany Berger, Sarah Krakoff & Philp P. Frickey, American Indian Law: Cases and Commentary (3d ed. West 2015) (American Casebook Series). 945 pages.
- Cohen's Handbook of Federal Indian Law (Robert T. Anderson et al. eds., LexisNexis 2012). 1452 pages.
- Robert T. Anderson, Bethany Berger, Philip P. Frickey & Sarah Krakoff, American Indian Law: Cases and Commentary (2d ed. West 2010) (American Casebook Series). 951 pages
- Robert T. Anderson et al., American Indian Law: Cases And Commentary (Thomson/West 2008) (American Casebook Series). 901 pages.
- Cohen's Handbook of Federal Indian Law (Robert T. Anderson et al. eds., LexisNexis 2007 & 2009 Supp.). 1413 pages.
Book Chapters
- Robert T. Anderson, Aboriginal Title in the Canadian Legal System: The Story of Delgamuukw v. British Columbia, in Indian Law Stories 591-619 (Carole Goldberg, Kevin K. Washburn & Philip P. Frickey eds., Foundation Press 2011).
- Robert T. Anderson, Treaty Substitutes in the Modern Era, in The Power of Promises: Rethinking Indian Treaties in the Pacific Northwest 321-38 (Alexandra Harmon ed., University of Washington Press 2008).
- Treaty Substitutes in the Modern Era in Rethinking Indian Treaties in the Pacific Northwest (Alexandra Harmon ed.. UW Press 2008).
Book Reviews
- Robert T. Anderson, Book Review, 84 N.M. Hist. Rev. 450-51 (2009) (reviewing Deborah A. Rosen, American Indians and State Law: Sovereignty, Race, and Citizenship, 1790-1880 (2007)).
- Robert T. Anderson, Book Review, 31 Am. Indian Culture & Res. J. 177-79 (2007) (reviewing Tribal Water Rights: Essays in Contemporary Law, Policy, and Economics (John E. Thorson, Sarah Britton & Bonnie G. Colby eds., 2006)).
- Robert T. Anderson, Book Review, 18 Alaska L. Rev. 317-21 (2001) (reviewing David S. Case & David Avraham Voluck, Alaska Natives and American Laws (2d ed. 2002)).
Professional Publications
- Robert Anderson, Remarks at a meeting of the National Congress of American Indians on the New Realism: The Next Generation of Scholarship in Federal Indian Law (Nov. 17, 2006), in 32 Am. Ind. L. Rev. 130-36 (2007-08).
- Robert T. Anderson, Quantification of Indian Reserved Water Rights, 49 Rocky Mtn. Min. L. Inst. 9-1 to -22 (2003).
- Robert T. Anderson, Blurring the Boundaries of Tribal and State Jurisdiction, Wash. St. B. News, Nov. 2002, at 24-30.
- Robert T. Anderson, Supreme Court to Review Breach of Trust Decisions, Native Am. Resources Committee Newsl. (Am. B. Ass'n), Sept. 2002.
- Robert Anderson, Tribal Jurisdiction over Nonmembers, Trends (Am. B. Ass'n Sec. Env't Energy & Resources), May/June 2001, at 4-5, 7.
- Robert T. Anderson, Alaska Legislature Considers Innovative Instream Flow Law, 2 Rivers 255-61 (1991).
News Media
- Robert T. Anderson, Opinion, OMB Should Stop Meddling with Tribal Water Pacts, Law360, Sept. 7, 2016, 5:22 PM.
- Robert T. Anderson, Respect for the Dead at the Village of Tse-whit-zen, The Seattle Times, Feb. 9, 2005.
Other Publications
- Speaker, "The Future of the Federal Subsistence Fishing and Hunting Priority in Alaska, and Trust Land Regulation Update", 32d Annual Indian Law Symposium, University of Washington School of Law (September 6, 2019)
- Panelist, "Native Nations, Justice and Public Lands", 6th Annual Martz Winter Symposium: The Changing Landscape of Public Lands, University of Colorado School of Law (February 28, 2019)
- Panelist, "New Developments in Tribal Water Rigts: Agua Caliente and SGMA", 2019 California Water Law Symposium: California Groundwater: SGMA & Beyond, Hastings College of Law (February 2, 2019)
- Speaker, "The United States Supreme Court and Indian Nations: What Do the Modern Cases Reveal About Key Issues in Indian Country?", Series on Native Cultures of America, Mahindra Humanities Center (November 13, 2018)
- Speaker, "Indian Law & Water Rights", Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (November 8, 2018)
- Speaker, "Alaska Native Fishing Rights at Risk, Regulating for the Seventh Generation", University of Connecticut School of Law (October 26, 2018)
- Speaker, "The Culvert Case at the Supreme Court: Where Do We Go from Here?", Celebrate Water 2018, Center for Environmental Law & Policy (June 7, 2018)
- Speaker, "Environment, Natural Resources, and American Indian Law", Presidential Power and the Law, Women's University Club of Seattle (February 7, 2018)
- Speaker, "Struggles in Federal Indian Law: Alaska Native Rights and the Katie John Litigation", William C. Canby Lecture, Arizona State University (January 25, 2018)
- Chairperson and Speaker, Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Indian Nations and the Law, Harvard Law School (November 17, 2017)
- Conference Chair and Speaker, "Native American Graves Protection Act", 30th Annual Indian Law Symposium, University of Washington School of Law (September 1, 2017)
- Speaker, "Fundamentals of Indian Water Rights", Conference on Settlement of Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims, Western States Council and Native American Rights Fund (August 8, 2017)
- Keynote, 8th Annual Indian Law Conference, Spokane County Bar Association (February 24, 2017)
- Keynote, "The Dakota Access Pipeline Controversy and the Limits of Federal Indian Law", 8th Annual Indian Law Conference, Spokane Bar Association (February 24, 2017)
- Panelist, "Environmental and Natural Resource Law", Presidential Power in 2017, University of Washington School of Law and Town Hall (February 1, 2017)
-
Senate panel approves Biden's nomination of UW Native American Law Center director as top Interior Department lawyer (Prof. Emeritus Bob Anderson)
Jul 22, 2021 | Source: The Spokesman-Review
-
Robert Anderson, Nominee for Solicitor of the Department of Interior
Apr 07, 2021 | Source: The White House
-
Deb Haaland confirmed as interior secretary, becoming the first Native American U.S. Cabinet member (Prof. Emeritus Bob Anderson mentioned)
Mar 15, 2021 | Source: The Seattle Times
-
Indian Country Treaties Are Valid—and Matter, Says Supreme Court Ruling (Prof. Bob Anderson quoted)
Jul 13, 2020 | Source: Yes! Magazine
-
Inland Northwest tribal leaders, lawyers praise key Supreme Court decision on tribal sovereignty (Prof. Bob Anderson quoted)
Jul 09, 2020 | Source: The Spokesman-Review
-
Supreme Court ruling ‘reaffirmed’ sovereignty (Prof. Anderson quoted)
Jul 09, 2020 | Source: Indian Country Today
-
Tribes expect little help in fight to protect elders from coronavirus (Bob Anderson quoted)
Mar 29, 2020 | Source: The Columbian
-
Trump Can’t Reverse Ocean Drilling Ban, Profs Tell 9th Circ. (Prof. Bob Anderson mentioned)
Feb 21, 2020 | Source: Law360
-
Eureka Schedules Ceremony for Return of Duluwat Island to the Wiyot Tribe (Prof. Bob Anderson quoted)
Oct 12, 2019 | Source: North Coast Journal
-
WA's top lawyer took a rare step to affirm tribal sovereignty — here's why that's a big deal (Prof. Bob Anderson quoted)
Jun 05, 2019 | Source: Crosscut
-
Running Dry: Competing for water on a thirsty planet (Prof. Bob Anderson quoted)
Jun 03, 2019 | Source: Reuters
-
How do tribal nation’s treaties figure into climate change? (Prof. Anderson quoted)
May 14, 2019 | Source: High Country News
-
Wash. attorney general announces consent rule for tribes (Prof. Bob Anderson quoted)
May 10, 2019 | Source: Associated Press
-
Trump's National Monument Mischief (Prof. Bob Anderson)
Mar 13, 2019 | Source: Real Clear Policy
-
County, Cowlitz Tribe aim to resolve funds issue (Prof. Bob Anderson quoted)
Feb 25, 2019 | Source: The Columbian
-
Supreme Court takes on a case of treaty rights vs. state taxation (Prof. Bob Anderson quoted)
Feb 19, 2019 | Source: High Country News
-
'We're Coming Home': The unprecedented return of Indian Island to the Wiyot Tribe (Prof. Bob Anderson)
Jan 24, 2019 | Source: North Coast Journal
-
Mashpee Mashup (Prof. Bob Anderson)
Oct 24, 2018 | Source: Global Gaming Business Magazine
-
Opinion: The Senate Should Not Confirm Kavanaugh
Oct 03, 2018 | Source: The New York Times
-
Alaska Natives Back Feds In Row Over Hovercraft Ban (Prof. Bob Anderson)
Sep 19, 2018 | Source: Law360
-
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Lands in Dispute (Prof. Bob Anderson)
Sep 13, 2018 | Source: WCAI
-
Land-Trust Case Raises Red Flags Across Indian Country - Prof. Bob Anderson quoted
Jul 04, 2018 | Source: The New York Times
-
Will the state learn from another loss on tribal fishing rights? (Prof. Bob Anderson quoted)
Jun 12, 2018 | Source: Crosscut
-
Supreme Court tie favors Indian tribes in Washington state (Prof. Bob Anderson quoted)
Jun 11, 2018 | Source: Associated Press