Matthew L.M. Fletcher

The Navajo Nation Department of Justice is seeking several energetic and motivated attorneys to work in the areas of tax, finance, tribal government, social services, and natural resources.

For a complete list of available positions, please see http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Applicants must be actively licensed with any state. Thereafter, attorneys hired by the Department are required to obtain licensure in the Navajo Nation as well as one of the following states: Arizona, New Mexico or Utah.

Please direct applicant packets consisting of (1) Letter of Interest with current address, telephone numbers, and e-mail address; (2) Navajo Nation employment application; (3) resume; (4) recent legal writing sample; (5) copy of bar membership certificates; and (6) law school graduation documents to Navajo Nation Department of Justice, Attention: Dana Bobroff, Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General, P.O. Box 2010, Window Rock, AZ 86515, and to the Navajo Nation Department of Personnel Management, P.O. Box 7080, Window Rock, Arizona, 86515.

Please visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/apply.html to obtain a copy of the Navajo Nation employment application. For any questions, please contact Dana Bobroff at 928/871-6345.

The Navajo Nation Department of Justice complies with the Navajo Preference in Employment Act.

Pascua Yaqui Chief Prosecutor Position Open

July 2, 2014Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here (PDF):

Federal Court Finds Jurisdiction in Tribal Dispute with Massachusetts over Regulation of Gaming on Martha Vineyard

July 2, 2014Matthew L.M. Fletcher2 Comments

Here are the materials so far in Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) (D. Mass.):

1 Notice of Removal

18 Massachusetts Motion to Remand

21 Opposition to Motion to Remand

25-1 Massachusetts Reply

31 DCT Order

An excerpt:

This lawsuit involves a dispute between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a federally recognized Indian tribe as to who has regulatory jurisdiction over civil gaming on Indian lands on Martha’s Vineyard. The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe and related entities have taken steps to commence commercial gaming operations on tribal lands without a license from the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts contends that by doing so, the Tribe violated a 1983 settlement agreement that subject the lands in question to state civil and criminal jurisdiction. Count 1 of the complaint alleges breach of contract, and Count 2 seeks a declaratory judgment.

The Commonwealth filed suit in state court on December 2, 2013. On December 30, 2013, defendants removed the action to this Court on the basis of federal-question and supplemental jurisdiction, 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1367. The Commonwealth has moved to remand the matter to state court. For the reasons set forth below, the motion will be denied.