PROFESSIONALS
Meet the Team
With Invenio Tribal Law by your side, you gain a partner that sees the world through an indigenous lens. We are dedicated to achieving positive outcomes for Indigenous communities and promoting self-determination and sovereignty.
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(Choctaw Nation)
FOUNDER & ATTORNEY
Email: bmt@inveniotriballaw.com
Phone: (202) 839-9687
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Blake Trueblood has over a sixteen-year track record of success as an advocate, litigator, counselor, and entrepreneur. Prior to co-founding Invenio Tribal Law LLP, Blake was General Counsel for a family of litigation finance and claims management companies assisting plaintiffs and law firms in personal injury, product liability, disaster recovery and mass tort practices. Blake was also previously the co-founder and Managing Partner of a Florida-based law firm that represented claimants in personal injury, sexual harassment, discrimination, and commercial claims. Blake has represented both individuals and businesses as claimants, and is a trusted counselor to entrepreneurs, Native American tribes, and media and entertainment personalities. Blake has been a regular commentator on the topics of Tribal economic development and cryptocurrencies.
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In addition to his in-house and law firm leadership, Blake served as the Director of Business Development for the National Center for American Indian Economic Development, where he was instrumental in leading numerous programs on innovative opportunities for enterprise development in underserved Native American communities. Blake was also appointed Chief of Staff and General Counsel of a leading national trade association for tribal economic development.
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Blake has made significant contributions to his local community and the larger Native American community nationally with pro bono work on behalf of minority-owned start-up businesses and tribal economic development organizations. Blake also mentors young entrepreneurs and lawyers in navigating the path to the next level of success.
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Blake was born in the midwest but raised most of his life by a single mom in Lakeland, Florida. He now splits his time between Washington, DC and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he has a home with his significant other Maria, their daughter Amber, and his dog Bella, a chihuahua-beagle mix.
Blake is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He is an avid hiker and runner, and a widely respected practitioner and instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Blake attained the rank of black belt in 2015 , earning his second degree in 2021.
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Served as lead counsel for the origination of over $100 million of litigation finance receivables, including both consumer facing products and multimillion dollar non-bank commercial loans.
Obtained substantial settlement on behalf school bullying victim against local Archdiocese and school officials.
Secured significant settlement on behalf of victim of pregnancy discrimination from large multinational restaurant chain.
Successfully negotiated resolution of multiyear commercial lease issue, resulting in a multimillion dollar buyout for commercial tenant.
Served as General Counsel for leading Native American economic development entity, including lead roles in both in transactional and public policy matters.
Represented Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) in acquisition by market leader in cross-border transaction.
Long-standing representation of entrepreneur in music, entertainment, and apparel ventures.
Served as relationship partner for ongoing engagement with Fortune 500 multinational organization.
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Washington University School of Law, Juris Doctor
H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University, Master’s in Business Administration, with Concentration in Entrepreneurship
Florida State University, Bachelor’s in Business Management
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District of Columbia
Florida
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
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40 Under 40, National Center for American Indian Economic Development (2012).
Super Lawyers Rising Star (2013-2015)
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(Cherokee Nation)
FOUNDER & CHIEF TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICER
Email: gpd@inveniotriballaw.com
Phone: (202) 839-9687
Gary Davis is a non-lawyer partner and advisor at Invenio Tribal Law. He provides non-legal advisory leadership to clients.
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Gary “Litefoot” Davis has long been a pioneering force in the indigenous community, boasting a multi-faceted career that seamlessly bridges arts, entertainment, public policy and federal government affairs, and sophisticated business acumen.
After first establishing himself as a notable figure in arts and entertainment, Gary next found success as an accomplished business leader and organizational trailblazer.
He led the National Center for American Indian Economic Development for many years, working to advance both its business relationships and its public policy and regulatory agenda, and has been retained by global industry groups, such as the American Petroleum Institute, to advise on ethical and thoughtful coalition building with indigenous nations.
Gary has traveled to hundreds of Tribal Nations over the span of his thirty year career and has earned the trust of Tribal governments and businesses through his work as a pathfinder between the traditional foundations and institutions of Indian Country and influence in the halls of government and the global business marketplace.
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Gary’s accomplishments as a seasoned entrepreneur evolved into tribal economic development in 2007 when he became Vice-President of U.S. Native Affairs for the Triple Five Group (owners of the Mall of America) and then co-chair of the National Indian Gaming Association’s, American Indian Business Network.
In 2011 he was asked to join the board of directors of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and soon after was asked to lead the organization as its president and CEO overseeing their annual Reservation Economic Summit (RES) in Las Vegas, multiple federal programs and initiatives related to business across Indian Country.
Mr. Davis has twice testified before the U.S. Senate and is astute at policy matters related to Indian Country. He is a relentless advocate for tribal sovereignty and has considerable experience building bridges on Capitol Hill.
His effectiveness in working with federal agencies to advance business in Indian Country has been substantiated by his twice being appointed an ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Minorities in Energy (2015) and Equity in Energy (2020) initiatives as well as his appointment to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Council on Underserved Communities (2016).
He is an accomplished international speaker. Highlights include delivering the featured keynote speech at the World Indigenous Business Forum in Guatemala City, Guatemala and delivering remarks at Hannover Messe, the world’s largest annual trade fair for industrial technology, in Hannover, Germany.
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Mr. Davis has been a notable figure in Indian Country for over 30 years. First recognized for his considerable achievements in music, film and television with eight award winning albums and starring roles in such films as, The Indian in The Cupboard (Paramount Pictures) and appearances on television programs such as, House of Cards (Netflix) and numerous inspirational concert tours which took him to nearly every tribal nation in the United States.
Mr. Davis was responsible for the creation and execution of the “Reach the Rez” project – which still stands as the single largest national effort of outreach aimed at positively impacting Indian Country over the span of five years. The effort raised over $1.3 million philanthropically for the unprecedented project aimed at serving tribal communities. The Reach the Rez effort began in 2005 and Mr. Davis and his family, along with a crew of ten staff, traveled 54,000 miles in the first year of the effort. The project successfully provided motivational and inspirational programs to over 350 indigenous communities across North America by its conclusion.
Mr. Davis was also recognized by Scholastic Books in their publication “Native American Heroes” in 2019.
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Gary grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and and now calls Dallas, Texas home where he lives with his wife Carmen and their three sons Quannah, Sequoyah and Qwnuseia and their golden retriever, Tsali. The couple’s oldest son Quannah is blazing his own trail in music, modeling and fashion while Gary and his wife Carmen travel nationwide throughout the year in support of their younger sons who are both accomplished lacrosse players.
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Appointed by Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration to the Council on Underserved Communities – May 23, 2016
Appointed by Dr. Ernest Moniz, U.S. Secretary of Energy, as an Ambassador of the Department of Energy’s, Minorities In Energy initiative – 2015
Appointed by the Honorable James E. Campos, Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, as an Ambassador of the Department of Energy’s, Equity In Energy initiative – 2020
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Coordinated and accompanied the Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation delegation to the Netherlands to meet with government officials and industry leaders - March 2019
Accompanied the U.S. Department of Commerce, and its Minority Business Development Agency, as part of the official U.S. Delegation to Hannover Messe 2016, the world’s Largest trade fair for industrial technology- April 25-29, 2016 in Hannover, Germany.
World Indigenous Business Forum, Featured Keynote speaker – October 29-30, 2014 in Guatemala City, Guatemala description.
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University of Tulsa
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Oversight Hearing of the United States Senate Indian Affairs Committee, “Indian Country Priorities for the 114th Congress” – January 28, 2015
Oversight Hearing of the United States Senate Indian Affairs Committee, “Economic Development: Encouraging Investment in Indian Country” – June 25, 2014
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2015 Recipient of the United States Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency’s National Director of the Year Award
2015 Minority Business News USA Champion in honor of unwavering commitment to supplier diversity
Selected as one of the, “Fifty Faces of Indian Country” by Indian Country Today Media Network – 2015
2014 Recipient of the Cherokee Nation Historical Society’s Seven Star Award for accomplishments in music, acting and business
Recipient of the American Indian Business Leaders Entrepreneurship Award – 1995
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At Invenio Tribal Law, Gary serves firm clients as follows:
As a critical facilitator between tribal governments the firm represents in complex litigation and the firm’s litigators, ensuring that Tribal government stakeholders and constituents are able to partner effectively with lawyers representing them as claimants in courts and settlement processes.
Advising and leading engagements on federal government affairs matters.
As a strategic business affairs advisor for innovative tribal business ventures and individual indigenous entrepreneurs.
As a critical leader and advisor on the role of indigenous rights in the important work of social equity and environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) initiatives.
Gary Davis is a non-lawyer partner and advisor at Invenio Tribal Law. He provides non-legal advisory leadership to clients
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(Cherokee Descendant)
FOUNDER & ATTORNEY
Email: edg@inveniotriballaw.com
Phone: (202) 794-7035
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Ed Gehres has over 25 years of experience as an advocate, trial lawyer, and organizational leader. Ed began his career as a political organizer and strategist for civil liberties and education organizations, and was drawn to trial practice and litigation strategy because of a desire to affect change on multiple levels – in the courts, in the legislature, and in public affairs strategy.
Over the last two decades, Ed has developed a national litigation and dispute resolution practice focusing on complex civil cases, working on both the plaintiff and defense side in products liability, mass torts and disaster events, financial services, defamation, civil rights, environmental contamination, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and corporate commercial disputes both domestic and international.
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Throughout his career, Ed has been recognized as a leader and an innovator in building firms and legal services organizations.
Ed has been a partner and practice group leader at an American Lawyer 100 firm and led the practice group at a nationally-known boutique firm that was named Law Firm of the Year in its specialty by US News & World Report.
Ed also has experience as General Counsel of organizations from their start-up phase through full-diversification and later-stage equity raises.
Most recently, Ed led the development of the legal department at a Miami-based investment platform as it grew from a handful of start-ups to over 50 portfolio companies in a dozen countries.
Ed co-founded Invenio LLP to reflect the values most important to him throughout his career – sound judgment, empathy for those in need of help, and a practical approach to developing successful solutions.
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In the community, Ed has devoted time, energy, and advocacy to issues and organizations serving those who need a voice in law and policy. He co-founded the Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition, helped the Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County achieve 501(c)(3) status, and served on the Board of Directors of the ARC of Montgomery County. Ed has also advocated on economic development, food sovereignty, and community development needs for Native American communities throughout the United States.
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Ed grew up in the Midwest and is proud to call Detroit his home town. Ed is the grandson of coal miners and assembly line workers, and brings this work ethic along with the empathy of his father’s ministry in the Presbyterian Church and the curiosity of his mother’s work as an educator and non-profit leader to his client representations today.
Ed moved to Washington, DC to work on civil rights, civil liberties, and education issues, and was inspired to study law after being told his draft of a new bill on education equality wouldn’t be shown to a potential sponsoring Congressman because he was not a lawyer. A version of the bill was eventually made law, but by then Ed was off ensuring that no barriers remained to his work as an advocate.
Today, Ed lives just outside of Washington, DC with his wife, two children, and labradoodle Maggie. In his spare time, Ed is a Deacon and a Ruling Elder at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, and is an avid rower and trail runner.
At Potomac Boat Club in Washington, DC, Ed captained the Men’s Sweep Rowing team to two consecutive US Rowing Master’s National Championships.
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Litigated an authority and sex abuse case against a Roman Catholic priest and the Diocese of Pittsburgh in the tragic death of a University of Pittsburgh football player.
Science counsel in numerous mass tort and product liability cases involving complex medical and scientific experts for trial.
Trial counsel in several high-profile catastrophic tort cases involving novel design defect and brain injury theories.
Led successful group of objectors to unfair and deceptive practices class action settlement, ultimately resulting in an improved settlement.
Counsel in complex case settlements to multi-party litigation, including design of framework for negotiation, work with Special Masters, and establishing evidentiary thresholds for settlement categories.
Represented a special education student in a disability rights case against the D.C. Public Schools.
Defended nationally-renowned community health organization against “not-in-my-backyard” neighborhood challenges to zoning for new clinics serving poor and disadvantaged families.
Represented a California Native American tribal business and an Alaska Native Corporation in successful disputes and settlements against former business partners.
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University of Virginia School of Law, Juris Doctor
George Washington University, Graduate School of Political Management, Master of Arts
University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts
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District of Columbia
Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
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Chambers USA
Best Lawyers in America
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(Cherokee Nation)
SENIOR ADVISOR
Email: cc@inveniotriballaw.com
Phone: (202) 839-9687
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Clifton Cottrell is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation specializing in public policy, infrastructure, and economic development.
He has worked for and with tribal, local, state, and federal governments and agencies in public and private sector capacities.
Dr. Cottrell holds a JD from Baylor University School of Law and a PhD in Policy Studies from the University of Maryland, where he focused on federal Indian policy and development in the energy and environmental sectors.
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Dr. Cottrell served as the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Native Americans Studies at the University of Oklahoma.
While a fellow at OU, he co-led the submission of more than $6 million in grant proposals for projects advancing energy infrastructure and food security in Indian Country.
He has taught courses on tribal economic development, tribal sovereignty, and federal Indian law and policy.
Dr. Cottrell has published scholarly works on tribal sovereignty, the integration of tribal communities into large infrastructure projects, and tribal community planning.
He is a member of the Association for Economic Research of Indigenous Peoples, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, and the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association.
Before completing his doctorate, Dr. Cottrell held positions with prominent non-profit organizations supporting economic development in Indian Country, including as the Director of Policy and Research at the Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA) and as the Director of Business Development at the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED).
After performing statistical, qualitative, and legal analysis on a variety of economic and sovereign concerns in Indian Country, he wrote extensively for NAFSA’s website and national publications on financial issues, tribal sovereignty, and reservation economic development.
Dr. Cottrell drafted legislative amendments to major federal laws and helped prepare amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court on the economic development issues faced by remote tribal communities.
At NCAIED, he coordinated grant proposals totaling more than $100 million to bring renewable energy and telecommunications infrastructure to Indian Country.
He also created a comprehensive database of public and private foundations to link tribal economic development opportunities with available non-profit and government funding programs.
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Dr. Cottrell currently resides in north central Oklahoma with his wife, Nicole, and two daughters, Annabelle and Charlotte.
He spends much of his free time restoring a hobby farm, mastering traditional Cherokee weaponry, and supporting his girls’ love of horse riding.
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Dr. Cottrell currently resides in north central Oklahoma with his wife, Nicole, and two daughters, Annabelle and Charlotte. He spends much of his free time restoring a hobby farm, mastering traditional Cherokee weaponry, and supporting his girls’ love of horse riding.
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University of Maryland, PhD in Policy Studies
Baylor University School of Law, Juris Doctorate
University of Texas at Austin, Master of Public Affairs
University of the Ozarks, Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science
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(Chippewa Nation)
SENIOR ADVISOR
Email: cad@inveniotriballaw.com
Phone: (202) 839-9687
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Carmen Davis is a Senior Advisor at Invenio Tribal Law. With over twenty-four years dedicated to Indian Country, Carmen is a beacon of leadership and innovation.
An enrolled member of the Makah Nation, and a descendant of both the Chippewa Cree and Yakama Tribes, Carmen founded and led several Indian Country focused enterprises, with an emphasis on tribal-corporate partnerships and media solutions.
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Mrs. Davis has continuously committed herself to leading initiatives that have a positive and lasting impact on Native communities across North America.
Mrs. Davis founded Davis Strategy Group, a consulting, business services and media production firm with an array of tribal, corporate and private industry clients.
She is no stranger to massive productions having served as President of the Association for American Indian Development where, over the span of five years, she spearheaded all aspects of the multi-faceted, “Reach the Rez” project – which still stands as the single largest national effort of outreach in Indian Country.
Most recently, Mrs. Davis helped launch, and is Vice President of, IndigiStudios, a 100% owned and operated indigenous film and production company with a slate of theatrical, episodic, and documentary projects, all centered around the company’s mission of reclaiming the indigenous narrative in film and television.
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Carmen has held leadership roles in a variety of community outreach and non-profit initiatives, including the "Reach the Rez" tour, which traveled over 54,000 miles in its first year and conducted inspirational and motivational outreach events at over 350 indigenous communities.
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Carmen grew up in Seattle, Washington and and now lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband Gary and their three sons Quannah, Sequoyah and Qwnuseia and their golden retriever, Tsali. The couple’s oldest son Quannah is blazing his own trail in music, modeling and fashion while Carmen and Gary travel nationwide throughout the year in support of their younger sons who are both accomplished lacrosse players.
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40 Under 40, National Center for American Indian Economic Development (2012).
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In her role as Senior Advisor at Invenio Tribal Law, Carmen’s extensive background and deep understanding of the intricate dynamics of tribal relations and indigenous business frameworks uniquely position her to make impactful contributions to our clients.
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