Sarah Hugues Counsel

Sarah A. Hugues advises clients on a broad array of issues, predominantly related to environment, energy, and natural resources law. As part of her practice, Sarah focuses on Native American law, and guiding clients on tribal and treaty-related issues. Her practice includes considerations surrounding economic development projects on or affecting tribal lands, compact negotiations, the fee-to-trust process, the scope of tribal sovereign immunity, and how to effectively collaborate with tribes as agencies fulfill government-to-government consultation requirements.

Prior to transitioning to the private sector, Sarah served as associate counsel to Idaho’s governor, C.L. “Butch” Otter. In this role, she gained experience working on issues related to government contracting, permitting, regulatory compliance, rulemaking, administrative procedure, legislative affairs, Native American law, and project development. In addition to her duties as legal counsel, Sarah sat on the governor’s advisory council for judicial appointees, where she interviewed and provided recommendations on judicial candidates for the Idaho Supreme Court, Idaho Court of Appeals, and district courts. Her experience and relationships in the public sector, combined with her background in agriculture, support a transactional and environmental practice. Sarah provides clients with a comprehensive understanding of government regulations and complexities at the federal, state, and local level.

Prior to working at Perkins Coie, Sarah served as a law clerk to the Hon. Chief Judge David W. Gratton of the Idaho Court of Appeals. While earning her J.D. from the University of Idaho, Sarah worked as a prosecuting intern for the Boise City Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho.