Job Announcements

gabrielagendreau

To post an open Indian law or leadership job to Turtle Talk, send the following information to indigenous@law.msu.edu: 

In the email body: 

  • A typed brief description of the position which includes: 
    1. Position title 
    2. Location (city, state) 
    3. Main duties 
    4. Closing date 
    5. Any other pertinent details such as links to the application 
  • An attached PDF job announcement. 

____________________________________________________________________________ 

Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP Native Law Group

Senior Associate Attorney. Louisville, CO. Duties include: (1) Providing counsel and legal services to new and existing clients as well as representing clients in a professional and expedient manner; (2) Participating in business development functions (conferences, seminars, etc.) as requested to maintain and build client relationships as well as expand business opportunities; (3) Applying knowledge of legal procedures and previous cases to effectively counsel clients; (4) Conducting legal research by preparing legal memoranda and necessary pleadings required in all aspects of tribal, federal, and state litigation matters; (5) Appearing at hearings and trials including hearings in tribal courts; (6) Drafting agreements and analyzing legal documents; and (7) Complying with all court, state bar and inter-office policies and procedures. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, professional references, and law school transcripts to Erin Obray, Firm Administrator, eobray@nativelawgroup.com. The position is open until filled.

Summer 2022 Law Clerk Position. Native Law Group is currently seeking candidates for its Summer 2022 Clerkships in both of our office locations: Louisville, Colorado and Washington, D.C. Please indicate your office preference in your cover letter. Qualifications include: (1) Must have completed 2L year by Summer 2022; (2) Native American Law coursework completed by clerkship start date; (3) Excellent research abilities; and (4) Excellent written and oral communication skills. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample, law school transcript, letter of recommendation, and references to Firm Administrator Erin Obray at eobray@nativelawgroup.com by the deadline of January 21st, 2022.

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians

ATNI Climate Fellow. The Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians is hiring for up to two Climate Fellows for (40 hrs / week for 10 months) through a partnership with SEI (Strategic Energy Innovations). Deadline to apply is January 4th, 2022. The ATNI Climate Fellow will conduct Tribal climate planning research and review regional GHG policy and other key climate vulnerability assessments. This may include, but is not limited to, outreach and collaboration across other member organizations to develop and share best practices, trainings, and other resources focused on climate and environmental justice issues. Additionally, the Fellow could work in collaboration with the University of Oregon’s Tribal Climate Change Project. Apply for the position at this link: Climate Fellows.

Assistant Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison. This position is flexible within the Pacific Northwest with possible locations including the Portland, Spokane, and Seattle areas. Duties include: (1) Ensuring that NW CASC research is framed holistically and inclusively to encompass the themes of environmental sustainability, traditional knowledge, exposure of indigenous peoples to the impacts of climate change, adaptation, and interpretation of locally relevant research findings; (2) Assisting the Senior Tribal Liaison in the translation and communication of NW CASC science to tribal officials and resource managers based on the relationship of trust among tribal nations and with the tribal citizens; (3) Working with tribal education programs; (4) Preparing and reviewing reports, proposals, correspondence, and other documents; (5) Coordinating and organizing the planning, logistics, accounting, and programmatic activities for tribal related trainings, workshops, conferences, etc.; (5) Preparing reports and tracking NW CASC tribal related activities and corresponding metrics; (6) Conducting outreach to tribal communities; (7) Providing climate adaptation planning support to tribal governments and community climate
resilience stakeholders; (8) Assisting with the management of ATNI’s internship programs; and (9) Maintaining a website for outreach and coordination of activities with NW CASC and tribal communities. Please see the position description for more information and for submission requirements. Applications are due by January 6th, 2022.

Little River Band of Ottawa Indians

Tribal Staff Attorney. Manistee, MI. The Tribal Staff Attorney is a member of the Tribe’s unified Legal Department.  The principal duty of the Tribal Staff Attorney is to provide in-house legal services to the Tribe.  The duties and obligations of the Tribal Staff Attorney are primarily governed by the Tribe’s Unified Legal Department Act of 2015. Please contact aliciaknapp@lrboi-nsn.gov for application or questions about the position. The position is open until filled.

Judicial Hearing Officer, Chinle, Judicial District, Chinle, Ariz. Under supervision of the Chief Justice, exercises authority to preside over hearings and dispositions involving the Domestic Abuse Protection Act and Álchíní Bi Beehaz’áannii Act occurring within the respective jurisdiction of the District Courts of the Navajo Nation; performs related work as assigned. The JHO will engage in legal research and writing in child welfare, domestic abuse, temporary minor or adult guardianship, child custoy and other family matters. One Year Grant Funded with Benefits. For more information, please visit http://www.courts.navajo-nsn.gov/vacancies.htm. This position is open until filled.

Supreme Court Law Clerk, Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ. This position analyzes supreme court cases; conducts legal research; drafts opinions and orders; and provides legal advice related to appellate cases, petitions, notices and other documents filed with the Navajo Nation Supreme Court. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.courts.navajo-nsn.gov/vacancies.htm. This position closes December 30, 2021.

Staff Attorney, Chinle Judicial District, Chinle, AZ. This position provides complex legal advice and guidance, conducts legal research, and drafts legal documents in support of judges and other court staff. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.courts.navajo-nsn.gov/vacancies.htm. This position is open until filled.

Staff Attorney, Kayenta Judicial District, Kayenta, AZ. This position provides complex legal advice and guidance, conducts legal research, and drafts legal documents in support of judges and other court staff. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.courts.navajo-nsn.gov/vacancies.htm. This position is open until filled.District Court Judge, Judicial District Court, Navajo Nation Wide. The District Court Judge is responsible in presiding over civil, criminal and family court cases; provides policy direction and guidance in the operation of the Judicial District.  For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.courts.navajo-nsn.gov/vacancies.htm. This position is open until filled.  

Lochen Law Offices

Contract Hourly Attorney. Hartland, WI. The Attorney will assist with legal research and writing, litigation in various jurisdictions, and more. Examples of projects and responsibilities: Tribal economic development projects; drafting/reviewing corporate bylaws, resolutions and ordinances, and related matters; researching and drafting policies and procedures for various Tribal governmental departments; researching and drafting research memos on tax issues, jurisdictional questions, and other matters that focus on representation of Indian tribes and Tribal entities. Other subject matter may include Tribal employment law, Tribal lending questions, and more. The Attorney will also perform other duties inherent to the position of Attorney as requested. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references via e-mail to: Eric Lochen, Managing Partner, at eric@lochenlaw.com.

Law Clerk. Hartland, WI. The law clerk will assist with and be exposed to legal research and writing, litigation in various jurisdictions, and more. Examples of projects and responsibilities: Tribal economic development projects; drafting/reviewing corporate bylaws, resolutions and ordinances, and related matters; researching and drafting policies and procedures for various Tribal governmental departments; researching and drafting research memos on tax issues, jurisdictional questions, and other matters that focus on representation of Indian tribes and Tribal entities. Other subject matter may include Tribal employment law, Tribal lending questions, and more. The law clerk will also perform other duties inherent to the position of law clerk, including basic administrative tasks, and other duties as requested. The ideal candidate would be well-versed and particularly interested in Tribal and federal Indian law as well as corporate structuring of businesses and contract law. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and references via e-mail to: Eric Lochen, Managing Partner, at eric@lochenlaw.com.

The Cahuilla Band of Indians

Tribal Court Administrator/Court Clerk. Anza, CA. Main Duties: The Cahuilla Band of Indians is seeking a tribal court administrator/court clerk to manage and operate the tribal court in the following areas of court administration: court office management, case management, financial management, human resources management, community relations, court safety, court building management, court performance, and court advancement. Under the tribal administrator and judicial direction, the court administrator may be responsible for performing other related job duties. Interested candidates should apply here. The position is open until filled.

Principal Tribal Court Advocate – Office of the Attorney General. Window Rock, AZ. Duties include: (1) Performing legal work related to representation of the Navajo Nation government, as assigned by the Assistant Attorney General, including legal research, negotiations, legal writing, drafting pleadings, briefs, memoranda, resolutions and other documents for the divisions, departments, or programs assigned; (2) Child Support Enforcement: Presenting child support enforcement cases before the Office of Hearings and Appeals; (3) Participating in case staffing with Child Support Enforcement officers; and (4) Providing legal advice and case strategy.  This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Principal Attorney (Water Right Unit) – Office of the Attorney General. Window Rock, AZ. Duties include: (1) Under general direction of the Assistant Attorney General or the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, professionally representing the Nation in multiple water rights adjudications pending in state and federal courts, in state administrative water rights matters and in any settlement negotiations concerning the Nation’s water rights; (2) Working closely with technical staff within the Water Rights Unit Staff, Department of Water Resources and other programs within the Navajo Nation, and with consultants retained to provide technical support to the Nation or to serve as expert witnesses; and (3) Providing legal advice on all water rights matters to the Office of the President and Vice President, the Office of the Speaker, the Navajo Nation council, and its committees and subcommittees and the Navajo Nation Water Rights commission (NNWRC) to ensure that the water rights of the Navajo Nation are effectively pursued and protected.  This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Senior Programmer Analyst – Office of the Attorney General. Window Rock, AZ. Duties include: (1) Under general direction of the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, performing a variety of complex duties such as installing, programming, maintaining, and saving of organization’s digital information within the Office of the Attorney General; (2) Serving as a resource person with regard to matters relating to information systems, development and implementation of security controls, efficient use and maintenance of system and equipment; (3) Facilitating implementation management information systems; (4) Installing and maintaining servers on local area networks; (5) Performing network device configurations, workstation set ups, and assigning nodes or network address definitions; installs and monitors performance of servers on local area networks; and (6) Maintaining knowledge of current trends in hardware and software technology relating to the practice of law, selecting the most feasible and economic methods to operate existing system. This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Attorney (Water Rights Unit). Under general direction of the Assistant Attorney General or the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, represents the Nation on water rights matters, including the adjudication of water rights in administrative, state and federal courts for the purpose of securing and protecting the Nation’s water rights. The Attorney works directly and indirectly on settlement negotiations concerning the Nation’s water rights, including the implementation of successful settlements. The Attorney works closely with legal and technical staff within the NNDOJ Water Rights and Natural Resources Units, Department of Water Resources, Water Management Branch, other programs within the Nation, contract counsel, and with consultants retained to provide technical support or to serve as expert witnesses. The attorney provides legal work, legal research, and prepares legal memorandums, briefs, pleadings and other documents necessary for litigation and settlement purposes and to effectuate implementation of settlements. Work will include drafting, reviewing, analyzing and interpreting judicial decisions, legislation, contracts, leases, permits and other related documents.  This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Prosecutor – Office of the Prosecutor, Kayenta, AZ.  Represents the interest of the Navajo Nation in juvenile adjudications, dependencies, Children in Need of Supervision (CHNS); research and study of litigation of juvenile proceedings and child neglect cases including appellate cases, reviews police, social service, and related reports/complaints, and other law enforcement documents and reports; prepares oral arguments, gathers facts and data; determines if sufficient evidence exists to support the charges; attends juvenile related hearings in Navajo Nation Courts; conducts legal research; drafts complaints, motions and/or other legal proceedings; prepares a legal strategy; identifies and subpoenas witnesses, records and other information required to present the case, prepares legal memoranda, briefs, motions and other required documents for court presentation; performs extensive legal research. Makes decisions in sensitive case and seeks assistance as needed in the juvenile matter.  This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor.  This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Senior Prosecutor – Office of the Prosecutor, Shiprock, NM.  Represents the interest of the Navajo Nation in prosecuting individuals alleged to have violated provisions of the Navajo Nation Code; reviews citations, arrest sheets and other law enforcement documents and reports; interviews witnesses, gathers facts and data; determines if sufficient evidence exists to support the charges; conducts legal research; drafts complaints, motions and/or other legal proceedings; prepares a legal strategy; gathers and compiles evidence; identifies and subpoenas witnesses, records and other information required to present the case. Prepares and presents criminal and civil cases in the Navajo Nation and appellate courts; prepares legal memoranda, briefs, motions and other required documents for court presentation; performs extensive legal research. Attends staff meetings, training, law seminars and workshops; provides training to Prosecutors and Juvenile Presenting Officers and on request to law enforcement personnel; collaborates with law enforcement agencies; negotiates settlement with opposing parties. Present major and complex litigation in District and Family Courts; perform extensive legal research; and perform other work-related tasks/assignments as assigned. This position is sedentary with a potential for high levels of stress. This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor.  This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Oglala Sioux Tribe

Attorney General. Pine Ridge, SD. Duties include: (1) Being the Law Enforcement Officer for the Oglala Sioux Tribe; (2) Prosecuting and representing the Oglala Sioux Tribe in all major criminal and civil cases filed by the Attorney General’s Office, including cases that involve public officials (3) Being responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Oglala Sioux Tribe Attorney General’s Office; (4) Assisting the Legal Department of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and committees of the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council on revisions to the Oglala Sioux Tribe Law and Order Code and Court Rules; (5) Assisting the Legal Department of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in legal disputes with the Federal Government, State Government, and other entities or individuals; (6) Advising Tribal Police Officers on all legal matters; (7) Issuing directive(s) to the Chief of Police to conduct criminal investigations and directive(s) regarding law-enforcement procedures to the Chief of Police to protect the Civil Rights of Tribal Members; (8) Upholding the integrity and independence of the Tribal Court, and the OST Constitution and By-Laws; and (9) Requesting a report from the United States Attorney Office containing aggregate data on the cases in which the United States Office has declined prosecutor and the reason for the federal declinations.