Job Round Up

If you have a new announcement, please share it with us by uploading the information requested on this Google Form. If you have any questions, please email the MSU College of Law Indigenous Law & Policy Center at indigenous@law.msu.edu.

Community Justice Worker

DNA-People’s Legal Services Remote

The CJW hired for this position will be assigned to DNA’s Flagstaff, Arizona field office but may primarily work remotely. The CJW will help provide legal services, conduct outreach, and provide community legal education to individuals residing in the general area of Supai, Arizona and surrounding communities affected by federally declared natural disasters.

Requirements:

  1. The educational background needed to become licensed to practice in a tribal court operating within the disaster area listed above; or
  2. A 4-year college degree; or 
  3. A graduate of a paralegal or other training program including: an associate degree in paralegal studies, or a paralegal program certified by the Navajo Nation Bar Association (NNBA) training committee. 

Must be comfortable working with clients from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, following court processes, and handling legal documents. Must have good writing skills, strong communication skills, organizational abilities, computer skills, and be able to communicate effectively in English. Bilingual in a language common to DNA’s service area is preferred. Must have a good driving record and the ability to travel. Applicants must also have acceptable references.

$46,000 Open until filled https://dnalegalservices.org/career-opportunities-2/

Staff Attorney

Advocates for the West; The position is preferably based in our Boise, ID, office, and we will consider remote work options.

The Staff Attorney will initially support our existing cases challenging oil and gas and other industrial developments that threaten special places in the American West and signature species we have long defended, including the greater sage-grouse, salmon, and steelhead. Over the longer term, the Staff Attorney will be expected to develop a portfolio of new cases in conjunction with our legal team and key clients/partners.

Qualifications 

The attorney must have a J.D. and be (or become) admitted to a relevant state bar(s). Applicants should be comfortable working independently and as part of a team, and have excellent litigation skills, including legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills. Applicants with demonstrated commitment to environmental protection are preferred. 

$90,000 to $135,000, depending on experience

Preference will be given to candidates who apply by February 28, 2025. After that, applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis as needed. To Apply Please visit our website at https://advocateswest.org/join-our-team/

Director of Legal Programs

California Indian Legal Services, Sacramento, CA

The Director of Legal Programs (DLP) holds statewide responsibilities and provides strategic leadership and oversight for California Indian Legal Services’ (CILS) direct service legal work; supervises the Directing Attorneys for all four field offices; responsible for implementing policies and procedures that ensure consistent, high-quality legal services across the organization; lead the execution of direct service legal priorities outlined in CILS’s strategic plan. In partnership with the Director of Compliance and Legal Technology, the DLP ensures compliance with funding requirements, program policies, and procedures, while contributing to efforts to secure future funding. 

Required Qualifications

J.D. or L.L.M. degree from an accredited law school and active membership in the California State Bar, or ability to obtain admission. 

Minimum of ten years’ significant experience in the practice of law; extensive background in federal Indian law, including experience in systems change work.

Deep knowledge of Tribes statewide, with well-established and trusted relationships across tribal communities. 

Strong knowledge of California’s tribal-state relations, including tribal sovereignty, self-governance, and intergovernmental agreements. 

Salary: 125K – 150K Closing date: 6/30/25 https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/3064409/California-Indian-Legal-Services-Inc/Director-of-Legal-Programs

Tribal Court Clerk

Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Banning, CA

Under the direction of the Tribal Court Judges and the general direction of the Tribal Court Administrator, the Tribal Court Clerk will perform varied duties including but not limited to preparing for and managing the court docket and performing administrative duties related to the Tribal Court.

Requirements: High school diploma/GED and minimum three (3) years’ experience working in a Tribal, State, or Federal Court or other legal and/or court-related experience as a paid secretary, paralegal, or clerk. A bachelor’s degree in a related field can substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Pay: $20-$30 per hour Open until filled https://morongonation.org/employment/

Assistant Program Operations Manager

Indian Law Resource Center, Washington, D.C.

The Assistant Project Operations Manager will assist in developing and implementing policies, systems, and operations to manage the Center’s Indigenous Lands Initiative project and, as needed, all of the Center’s other programs and projects, especially our work to advance Indigenous rights throughout Mexico, Central, and South America. This position will include both administrative and program responsibilities and will require travel, including international travel.

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree is required. Two years of proven experience in office management and administration, preferably in a nonprofit setting is required. Experience or background with Indigenous communities and cultures in the United States, Mexico, Central and South America is helpful but not required. Experience or background in Indigenous rights and/or international human rights law is helpful but not required.

Salary: $50,000 – $60,000 Open Until Filled https://indianlaw.org/about/careers

Tribal Attorney

Suquamish Indian Tribe, Suquamish, WA

The Tribal Attorney will provide legal advice to the Suquamish Tribal Council and the Suquamish Indian Tribe’s government departments. The Tribal Attorney will represent the Suquamish Indian Tribe in matters brought in Tribal, State, and Federal court. The Tribal Attorney will work cooperatively with the Office of the Tribal Attorney to defend and enhance the sovereignty of the Suquamish Indian Tribe.

Competitive Pay and Benefits – $113k – $218k DOE Posting closes: March 7, 2025 https://suquamish.nsn.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Office-of-Tribal-Attorney-Tribal-Attorney-JD.pdf

Senior Attorney (x 3)

Legislative Branch/Office of Legislative Counsel, Window Rock, Arizona

The Senior Attorney is under the general supervision of the Chief Legislative Counsel and will perform a myriad of high-level legal work of unusual difficulty that includes the following: 1) coordinate legal advice and opinions with the Department of Justice and other attorneys that provide legal services to the Nation; 2) attend Navajo Nation Council Sessions, Standing Committee Meetings, Board and Commission Meetings; 3) provide advice and counsel, including interpretation of tribal, state and federal laws and regulations, to the Navajo Nation Council, Standing Committees, Board and Commissions; 4) perform complex legal research and analysis of laws, legal precedents and policies; 5) provide representation of the Legislative Branch in mediation, administrative and court hearings; 6) provide training and orientation in specific laws and their application to the Navajo Nation Council, Standing Committees, Board and Commissions; 7) draft, review and prepare proposed legislation, reports, legal documents and correspondence for the Navajo Nation Council and entities of the Legislative Branch; and 8) codify the Navajo Nation laws, rules and regulations. Other legal work will include analyzing and interpreting judicial decisions, federal and state legislation, contracts, leases, permits and other related documents. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements: A Juris Doctorate; and four (4) years of professional experience as a state-licensed attorney. Current admission in any state bar with the intention of seeking and securing admission to the Navajo Nation Bar Association and either the Arizona, New Mexico or Utah State Bar within one (1) year of date of hire.   Additional Requirements: Requires submittal of a current certificate of good standing from a state bar within sixty (60) days of employment. Must be licensed with the Navajo Nation and with the AZ, NM or UT State Bar Associations within one year of hire.

Salary: $98,595.36

Closes: March 05,2025 https://apply.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs/LB07786486

Closes: March 05,2025 https://apply.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs/LB07786488

Closes: March 27,2025 https://apply.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs/LB07786478

Principal Attorney

Legislative Branch/Office of Legislative Counsel, Window Rock, Arizona

The Principal Attorney is under the general supervision of the Chief Legislative Counsel and will perform a myriad of work of unusual difficulty that includes the following: 1) coordinate legal advice and opinions with the Department of Justice and other attorneys that provide legal services to the Nation; 2) attend Navajo Nation Council Sessions, Standing Committee Meetings, Board and Commission Meetings; 3) provide advice and counsel, including interpretation of tribal, state and federal laws and regulations, to the Navajo Nation Council, Standing Committees, Board and Commissions; 4) perform complex legal research and analysis of laws, legal precedents and policies; 5) provide representation of the Legislative Branch in mediation, administrative and court hearings; 6) provide training and orientation in specific laws and their application to the Navajo Nation Council, Standing Committees, Board and Commissions; 7) draft, review and prepare proposed legislation, reports, legal documents and correspondence for the Navajo Nation Council and entities of the Legislative Branch; and 8) codifiy the Navajo Nation laws, rules and regulations. Other legal work will include analyzing and interpreting judicial decisions, federal and state legislation, contracts, leases, permits and other related documents. Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements: A Juris Doctorate; and eight (8) years of professional experience as a state-licensed attorney. Current admission to any state bar with the intention of seeking and securing admission to the Navajo Nation Bar Association and either the Arizona, New Mexico or Utah State Bar within one (1) year of date of hire. Additional Requirements: Requires submittal of a current certificate of good standing from a state bar within sixty (60) days of employment. Must be licensed with the Navajo Nation and with the AZ, NM or UT State Bar Associations within one year of hire.

Salary: $116,489.52 Closes: March 27, 2025 https://apply.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs/LB07786479

Deputy General Counsel

California Public Utilities Commission; San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles

Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel provides substantive legal and administrative leadership in the service of the California Public Utilities Commission’s mission, the CPUC Legal Division’s mission, and its various client groups.  The Deputy General Counsel oversees, leads, and manages:  a portion or all of the nine sections of attorneys in the Division depending on enterprise or Division needs; and Legal Division’s administrative needs, including Division strategic planning and policy development, budget and compliance, and performance management and other personnel matters.  This is an executive level position directly involved in leading the Legal Division’s 125+ employees.  Member in good standing with the California Bar. 

Salary: $11,778.00 – $17,656.00 per Month Closes: March 10, 2025 https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=441817

Assistant Public Defender

Pueblo of Isleta, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Legal representation to Native Americans charged with crimes in Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Court. Appear with clients at all stages of the criminal proceedings beginning with initial appearance and through trial and appeal and appear at post-conviction probation violation hearings.  Meet with clients in-office and at county jail.  Review discovery, investigate cases, interview witnesses and write and argue motions  Co-chair jury trials with Director of the Public Defender.

Requirements:

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school; licensed to practice in New Mexico or other State; member in good standing of New Mexico or other State bar

Salary: $42.36/hr to $59.31/hr. until filled Careers page at https://www.isletapueblo.com

Associate Child Welfare/ Family Wellness Attorney

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Cass Lake, MN 

Provides legal advocacy to the Leech Lake Child Welfare Department, including legal representation for the Band in Tribal and State Court. Work with Leech Lake Family Services agencies. Additional representation may include Child Support and the Leech Lake Vulnerable Adult Code. Additional work may include review of contracts and negotiations with the State of Minnesota, the Department of Human Services, and County Governments.

Requirements:

Juris Doctorate Degree.

Three years of strong relevant Child Protection (CHIPS) experience with emphasis on the Indian Child Welfare Act. Three years of strong experience in family law. Experience working with American Indian children and families. Experience working with Tribal and/ or District court systems.

$41.00/hr or D.O.Q. Open until filled https://www.llojibwe.org/jobs/llbojobs.html