Expert Witness Services

HRA historians have prepared expert witness reports and have provided expert testimony on a variety of historical topics, with an emphasis on Native American and environmental issues.We have also helped attorneys with identifying, selecting, and working with experts outside of HRA.

We understand the litigation process and the expectations for expert reports and testimony. Our expert reports are impeccably researched, focused, and accessible to attorneys and judges.

HRA’s expertise includes:

  • Superfund litigation
  • Natural resource damage claims
  • Native American issues
  • Water rights
  • Navigability
  • Trial support

Featured Members

Featured Projects

Freedom from Religion Foundation v. Chip Weber (Big Mountain Jesus)

HRA assisted the U.S. Forest Service in its defense against a claim brought by the Freedom from Religion Foundation that the agency’s approval of a special use permit allowing the placement of a statue of Jesus on the Whitefish Mountain Resort ski area in the early 1950s violated the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.

Gila River Adjudication

As part of the General Streamwide Adjudication of the Gila River in Arizona, HRA conducted research pertaining to the history of the establishment of, and water use on, the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona.

Navigability of the Fortymile River in Alaska

HRA is assisting the U.S. Department of Justice with historical research and expert witness testimony in litigation to determine whether the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Fortymile River in Alaska were navigable at the time of statehood.

The Tulalip Tribes, et al., v. the State of Washington, et al. (Quil Ceda Village Taxation)

As a part of litigation involving the taxation of business activities on Indian trust lands within the Tulalip Reservation, HRA historians researched the history of federal and tribal participation in the development of Quil Ceda Village, a tribally chartered and federally recognized municipality that formerly served as a WWII-era munitions depot and a postwar aircraft-testing area.

Litigation Support

Contaminated Sites

HRA helps clients identify companies, government agencies, and other entities that may be responsible for the cleanup of Superfund and other contaminated sites.

Native American Issues

HRA historians offer extensive expertise in Native American history and legal issues, ranging from treaty rights to jurisdictional matters.

Water Rights and Adjudications

HRA provides historical research and writing for water rights litigation and adjudications throughout the West. We help clients determine priority dates and understand complex…