Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 5:00
Law firm located in Pocatello, Idaho
Mark Echo Hawk leads a robust Indian law practice group. For over two decades he has specialized in Indian law matters and championed Tribal interests. Mark represents Tribal governments on all governance matters, including Treaty rights, leasing and rights of way, taxation, 638 contracting, State and Federal government relations, tobacco regulation, health care, human resources, land and natural resource use, jurisdictional matters, contracts, code drafting and revision, grants, TERO, schools and education, Tribal courts, gaming, etc., and lobbying. He focuses his practice on Tribal economic development, including Section 17 corporate charters and business organization, SBA 8(a) contracting, Tribal hotels and travel plaza development, mortgage and housing finance business, Tribal health insurance, and financial institution options. He also maintains an active practice representing businesses that work with Tribes or on Reservation lands. In addition to advocating for Tribal governments, Mark has also served as Tribal prosecutor and Tribal judge, and currently serves as the Chief Justice of the Pawnee Nation Supreme Court. Mark speaks Spanish fluently.
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Eric has over 30 years of practice and has worked with small to mid-sized companies in all phases of their business activities. This includes formation and raising capital, protection of intellectual property, resolving disputes between owners, growth through mergers and acquisitions of similar or complementary businesses, and the sale and transfer of the businesses to the next generation or to other market players. Many of his clients have been 8(a) business development companies that have been involved in federal contracting pursuits or ventures. Eric’s tax experience has allowed him to structure the transactions in the most tax efficient manner. He has also represented businesses before the IRS, the U.S. Tax Court and various state taxing authorities on income and ad valorem tax issues.
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Joe is a fourth generation Idaho native. He was born and raised in Burley. He attended school and graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. The majority of Joe’s practice centers around working with small businesses. He uses his considerable knowledge and experience in helping individuals establish and operate businesses and has been involved in numerous business purchase and sales. He looks for ways to maximize the protections available to his clients through this process.
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Donald Sonnefeld received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University. He then received a Master of Science in Industrial Safety Management from the University of Central Missouri, where he was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Student in the Safety Science & Technology Department and inducted into Phi Kappa Phi honor society. He is a Certified Safety Professional (BCSP) and formerly a Certified Director of Safety(NATMI). He received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University at Buffalo School of Law, where he was the Public Relations Director for the Buffalo Moot Court Board and a member of the Federalist Society.
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Emily practices in a variety of law, focusing primarily on Indian Law. Emily received a J.D. from the University of Colorado, a M.A. in Human Rights Law from Central European University, and a B.A. in International Relations from Pomona College. While in law school, she served as a Production Editor for the Energy & Environmental Law Review and was active in the university’s Environmental Law Society, Women’s Law Caucus, and American Indian Law Clinic. Upon being admitted to practice, Emily clerked for the 20th Judicial District in Colorado and has additional experience in environmental law, criminal defense, outdoor recreation, advocacy, and litigation.
John graduated from Washburn University School of Law and has a vast area of backgrounds that help him understand his clients needs. He has worked in various industries and understands many of the issues that are faced by businesses large and small. He earned a certificate in Oil and Gas Law from Washburn, earning the certificate meant studying real estate law, contracts, and water law issues. All of those things are important in a state with so much agriculture.
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Colleen has extensive legal experience and has established herself as a valuable asset of the Echo Hawk & Olsen team. Colleen’s duties as a paralegal are predominantly concentrated on assisting Mark Echo Hawk with his Indian Law practice. She has worked with clients on SBA 8(a) Business Development certification; drafting tribal government laws, regulations, and resolutions; preparing Indian Child Welfare Act pleadings, other pleadings and court documents; as well as a broad array of other tribal business economic development matters.
Becca grew up in Pocatello and attended Idaho State University where she earned her Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies and a Bachelors Degree with an emphasis in Political Science. While earning her Paralegal degree, she interned at the United States, District of Idaho, Clerk’s Office. Becca was the lead paralegal for R. Sam Hopkins, the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee, for 12 years.
After taking a few years off to raise her young children, Becca was honored to be asked to return to work for Echo Hawk & Olsen, PLLC. She has broad experience in business formations and sales, real and personal property transactions, contracts, tribal law, probate, financial auditing, estate planning, creditor rights, and bankruptcy.
Becca loves spending time with her husband and three children and is often found at soccer and basketball games, hiking, skiing, and making home improvements. She is also actively involved in her community as a member of the City of Chubbuck’s Land Use and Development Commission, a longtime leader in Scouts BSA, and volunteers weekly in her children's classrooms and school P.T.A.
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Heather has over 20 years of legal experience in the areas of employment law, contract law, litigation, and military justice matters, with extensive experience in leadership roles and management positions. She received her certification from the US Army Paralegal School in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Judge Advocate General’s School in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is a graduate of Idaho State University, College of Arts and Letters, receiving a Bachelor of Arts with minors in English and History.
While serving as the full-time paralegal to the State Judge Advocate in the Arizona Army National Guard she was deployed to Mosul, Iraq in 2005 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Heather loves being in the beautiful Idaho mountains with friends and family, ultra-trail running, backpacking, and in the winter Nordic and skate skiing. She is actively involved in the Pocatello Running Club sharing her joy of running with the community.
A graduate of the University of Utah, Jill was a high school English teacher at Viewmont High School in Bountiful, Utah, for thirty years. After retiring from teaching in 2019, she received a Paralegal Certification through the Center for Legal Studies via Weber State University. She subsequently worked two years as a legal assistant to the General Counsel of a mortgage company where she was responsible, among other things, for overseeing licensing and assisting with audit responses. At Echo Hawk & Olsen, Jill will focus primarily on assisting Mark Echo Hawk with his Indian Law practice.
In her spare time, Jill enjoys reading, writing, gardening, and spending time with family. She is an avid sports enthusiast and especially enjoys cheering for the Utah Jazz.
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Kristal is excited to join the Echo Hawk & Olsen team as a Paralegal. She grew up in the rural and agricultural town of Stone, Idaho. Kristal completed her Associates of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from Idaho State University with a Magna Cum Laude honor. She is in her last year for her Bachelor of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies and her Associates Degree of University Studies at Idaho State University. While earning her Paralegal degree, she interned at the Idaho State University Office of the General Counsel and with Echo Hawk & Olsen. Kristal is highly organized, motivated and excels at paying attention to details. She loves working with the amazing staff here at Echo Hawk & Olsen.
Kristal loves to be outdoors. She particularly enjoys riding, training, and showing horses to compete in Stock Horse Shows in southern Idaho and northern Utah. She also enjoys hiking, reading, and photography. Kristal volunteers where she can with her local 4H Extension Office to share her love and passion for learning and working with horses.
Patty is happy to be part of the team at Echo Hawk & Olsen. As Eric’s wife she is his biggest fan and has watched him become more and more accomplished in his practice. Patty worked in a legal office job previously, was well trained, and now enjoys the opportunity to work with the great staff here at Echo Hawk & Olsen. She oversees the books and deals with vendors for the firm’s needs.
She enjoys painting, golf, reading, art and spending time with her family.
Taysha is the Office Manager and also a Paralegal with our firm. Having held positions in Corporate Human Resources, Risk Management and business fields, Taysha is able to tailor her skills to meet the needs of the various clients. She has a strong passion for research and fact finding which has enabled her to excel in her professional career.
Taysha is also very active serving in the community. She is a member of the Bannock Civitan's and is involved with multiple committees throughout the organization. Taysha was recognized for her outstanding servitude by receiving the New Civitan of the year for 2018. She loves this organization that helps to raise funds for local developmentally disabled citizens.
Outside of work and volunteering, Taysha enjoys camping, fishing and being outdoors with her family. She takes full advantage of our beautiful geographic location and its proximity to so many lakes, mountains and trails.
Rachel enjoys working at Echo Hawk & Olsen as a Legal Secretary & Receptionist. She is highly organized and has a high attention to detail, she offers great office support. She loves to help others by working with the great attorneys at Echo Hawk & Olsen.
Rachel has enjoyed living all over the west and getting to know so many great people. She has four children and loves to volunteer, traveling with her family, enjoys anything outdoors, all things about flowers and gardening.
Maureen is excited to be part of the Echo Hawk & Olsen team. She returned to school after raising her children and graduated summa cum laude from Brigham Young University-Idaho with her bachelors in University Studies with a minor in Business Management. She is a team player that steps in wherever and whenever needed. She is also an accomplished pianist and is a private piano teacher. She loves helping her students discover their potential, help them grow and see them find the joy music can bring into their lives.
Maureen enjoys learning, playing piano, biking, hiking, gardening and exploring all the great outdoor things Idaho has to offer.
