A representative sample of the legal matters she handled include:
- Renewable energy projects lease and right of way reviews
- Indian gaming compact reviews
- Land into trust decisions, guidance, and Carcieri analysis
- Leasing regulation reform
- Tribal consultation policy formation
- Federal legislation, including the HEARTH Act and Tribal Law and Order Act
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
She also served as the Interim Attorney General and Chief of Staff to Chairwoman Herminia Frias of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, of which she is a member. As Interim Attorney General, Pilar provided legal advice and representation for the Tribe, Tribal Council, Divisions, Departments, Commissions, and Enterprises on extensive legal issues, including employment law, gaming law, environmental law, self-determination contracting, tribal constitutional law, and internal policies. Her responsibilities included drafting tribal resolutions and ordinances, negotiating and drafting business contracts, government contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and other transactional legal items. She also represented the Tribe on external intergovernmental issues, including federal and state legislation and administrative actions.
In 2002, Pilar was appointed to the position of trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Indian Resources Section. Her practice included Indian treaty rights, water rights, and regulatory litigation. She was the recipient of the department’s Service Award for her efforts in the United States v. Michigan treaty rights litigation.
Prior to her law practice, Pilar worked for fifteen years in the financial services industry as a marketing director and in operations management.