Seattle, Washington

Lauren P.
Rasmussen

Attorney at Law · Environmental & Natural Resources

Dedicated legal counsel with over two decades of experience in environmental law, Indian treaty rights, and natural resource protection. Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Office (206) 623-0900

Address 1424 4th Ave, Suite 1350, Seattle, WA 98161

Email lauren[at]rasmussen-law.com

↓ Recent News

Legal Developments

Tribal Sovereignty News

October 2025

WA Supreme Court Upholds Stillaguamish Tribe's Sovereign Immunity

The Washington State Supreme Court ruled that the Stillaguamish Tribe cannot be sued in state court over a land dispute involving parcels along the North Fork Stillaguamish River acquired for Chinook salmon habitat conservation. The court reaffirmed that only Congress — not courts — can waive tribal sovereign immunity.

October 2025

Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to WA Tribal Gaming Compacts

The U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari in RunItOneTime LLC v. United States, ending a challenge seeking to invalidate gaming compacts between Washington state and 29 Native American tribes. Courts held that the tribes were indispensable parties whose sovereignty could not be adjudicated in their absence.

June 2025

WA Supreme Court Hosts Historic Indigenous Justice Symposium

The Washington State Supreme Court held a first-of-its-kind symposium — TÁĆELŚW̱ SIÁM: A Call to Justice for Indigenous Peoples — addressing tribal sovereignty and the need for skilled attorneys in Indian Country. Tribal attorneys stressed that non-Indian allies remain essential to advancing tribal rights.

2025

Chinook Indian Nation v. Burgum: Federal Recognition at SCOTUS

A petition for certiorari before the U.S. Supreme Court raises the issue of federal recognition for the Chinook Indian Nation. The Court has now denied cert.

Coming Soon

Aquaculture Partnerships

News and updates coming soon.

Coming Soon

Health Law

News and updates coming soon.

Lauren P. Rasmussen is a Seattle-based attorney with a private practice focused on environmental law, Indian treaty fishing rights, and natural resource protection. She has deep experience with the landmark Boldt Decision (United States v. Washington) and related litigation.

Her practice encompasses the Endangered Species Act, NEPA, and agency rulemaking, with an emphasis on litigation and compliance assistance. Lauren brings a passionate and thoughtful approach to complex environmental and natural resource matters.

Prior to private practice, Lauren served as Staff Attorney at the Point No Point Treaty Council and as a law clerk for the Snohomish County Superior Court. She received her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law, magna cum laude, in 2002.

Outside of law, Lauren enjoys water sports including sailing, fishing, swimming, and skiing, as well as travel to interesting places.

Bar Memberships

Washington State Bar (Admitted 2002)
Western District of Washington
Eastern District of Washington
9th Circuit Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of the United States

Education

University of Washington School of Law, LL.M. with emphasis in Health Law (2024)
Seattle University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude (2002)
University of Washington, B.S. in Psychology
Université de Haute Bretagne
Smith College

Indian Treaty Rights & Natural Resources

Private practice with experience in Indian treaty fishing rights and natural resource protection issues under the landmark Boldt Decision (United States v. Washington). Litigation and compliance assistance in this specialized area of federal law.

Environmental Law & ESA

Counsel and representation on matters arising under the Endangered Species Act, including consultation obligations, critical habitat designations, incidental take permits, and related litigation before federal courts and agencies.

NEPA & Agency Rulemaking

Guidance on compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, including environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, and participation in agency rulemaking proceedings.

Environmental Litigation

Representation in federal and state courts on a wide range of environmental and natural resource disputes, with particular depth in matters involving tribal treaty rights and fisheries management.

Legal Experience

2007 – Present

Law Offices of Lauren P. Rasmussen, PLLC

Private practice in environmental law, Indian treaty rights, and natural resource protection. Litigation and compliance assistance.

2005 – 2007

Associate Attorney — Gendler & Mann, LLP

Associate attorney focusing on environmental and natural resource matters.

2003 – 2005

Staff Attorney — Point No Point Treaty Council

Legal counsel advising on tribal treaty fishing rights and natural resource issues.

2002

Law Clerk — Snohomish County Superior Court

Honorable James H. Allendoerfer

Education

2024

University of Washington School of Law — LL.M.

Master of Laws with emphasis in Health Law

2002

Seattle University School of Law — J.D.

Magna cum laude · Nominated for Faculty Scholars Award · Environmental Law Society, VP of Academics · Dean's List 2001, 2002 · Ronald Peterson Law Clinic

University of Washington

B.S. in Psychology

Additional Studies

Université de Haute Bretagne · Smith College

Other Experience

Philips Speech Processing — Vienna, Austria

Speech Recognition Software Testing, Analysis and Creation

Source Child Center

Therapist for emotionally disturbed, abused, and traumatized children

Law Offices of
Lauren P. Rasmussen, PLLC

Address 1424 4th Ave, Suite 1350
Seattle, WA 98161-1170

Phone (206) 623-0900

Cell (206) 407-4138

Fax (206) 623-1432

Email lauren[at]rasmussen-law.com

Please do not include any confidential information in your initial inquiry.