Announcement of Summer Intern Position within the Office of General Counsel (OGC)
The National Indian Gaming Commission’s Office of General Counsel is seeking applicants for two intern positions for the summer of 2012. OGC’s summer internship program is for students who have completed at least their first year of
law school. Paid interns are expected to work at least 40 hours per week and are compensated at a rate equivalent to a General Schedule 7 (equivalent to $42,209). In addition to paid interns, OGC will consider volunteer applicants receiving financial support through law school public interest programs or through other public interest scholarships and federal work study programs. Interns funded by Federal Work Study programs will also be considered.
About the NIGC and the Office of General Counsel
The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), an independent federal regulatory agency within the Department of the Interior, was established by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). IGRA was enacted as means of supporting tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments through the creation of a statutory basis for the operation of gaming on Indian lands. It provides a regulatory framework to shield Indian gaming from corruption, to ensure the games are fair and honest and to ensure that Tribes are the primary beneficiaries of the gaming operation. The Commission was created to address these congressional concerns regarding gaming and to protect such gaming as a means of generating tribal revenue.
The Office of General Counsel provides legal advice and counsel to the Commission on all matters relating to IGRA and Commission compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Office represents the Chairwoman in all enforcement actions and, as needed, coordinates with the U.S. Department of Justice to implement the Commission’s enforcement actions. The Office also plays an important role in handling appeals before the full Commission, and
where Commission action results in litigation, the Office works directly with the Department of Justice.
The Office of the General Counsel also manages the day-to-day legal affairs of the Commission, providing counsel and legal support to each division. The Office reviews tribal gaming ordinances and proposed management contracts, provides legal advisory opinions on the appropriate classification of games played in Indian gaming facilities, on Indian land issues, contract issues, and general law questions. The Office also coordinates opinions and other specific matters with the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Solicitor, and other federal agencies as necessary. The NIGC OGC is committed to the professional development of new attorneys in the field of federal Indian law.
How To Apply
NIGC’s internships are highly competitive. Interns are selected on the basis of their overall applications. Due to the nature of NIGC’s practice, experience in Indian law or a background in Indian affairs is highly desirable. Applicants must submit the following materials:
• Cover Letter Addressed to Lawrence Roberts, General Counsel
• Resume
• Legal Writing Sample
• Law School Transcripts, Official transcripts are required
Applications may be sent via email to Shakira Ferguson at shakira_ferguson@nigc.gov, by facsimile to (202) 632-7066 or by regular mail to:
NIGC Internship Program,
Attn. Shakira Ferguson
1441 L Street NW, Suite 9100
Washington, DC 20005
The deadline for applications is April 27, 2012. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For an application to be considered complete, the cover letter, resume, legal writing sample and transcript must be received via email, facsimile
or mail by the deadline. Please email Shakira Ferguson at shakira_ferguson@nigc.gov if you have any questions.
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