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Upper Lake, CA – Tribal and State Jurisdiction Training
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Author: Monica Williamson
Last chance to register for the Pathways to the Legal Professions Conference
The Pathways to the Legal Profession Conference aims to increase the number of competitive Native law school applicants nationwide. Recent scholarship by the American Bar Association and others establishes that Native Americans are disproportionately underrepresented in the legal profession. We encourage advisors, educators, and school administrators to attend this training to help identify, advise, and support the next generation of indigenous attorneys. Register today: https://www.ailc-inc.org/registration/
Friday Job Announcements
Job vacancies are posted on Fridays. Any posts received prior to 12pm EST on Friday will appear in that Friday’s announcements. If you would like to submit a post for an open Indian law or leadership job, please send a brief description of the position (which includes position title and location) as well as a PDF job announcement to indigenous@law.msu.edu.
Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Outreach Coordinator, Odanah, WI. The duties of this 1-year full time position include participating in government-to-government meetings and activities of inter jurisdictional bodies; developing and implementing a strategy for communicating with communities of GLIFWC’s member tribes; coordinating with staff; outreach to GLIFWC’s member tribes; and more. Submit a letter of interest with a writing sample and resume (including 3 references) to Leanne Thannum, Litigation Support Specialist. For more information call (715)-682-6619 or email lthannum@glifwc.org.
Hoopa Valley Tribe
RFS, Northern California, 95526. Address the immediate and long-term needs of crime victims that best match each person’s needs and priorities. Our intended outcome is for victims and survivors to have access and services with low and no barriers. The Hoopa Valley Tribal Court is soliciting statements of intent from Indian owned economic enterprises/contractor(s) to respond to requests for qualifications. Please see the attachment for more information. The statement of intent is due January 28, 2019.
Augustine Tribe in Southern California
Controller, Coachella, CA. The ideal candidate will have extensive accounting experience in a Tribal Government. This position oversees all of the following operational accounting functions: general ledger, fixed assets, payroll processing, accounts receivable, accounts payable and grant & program cost accounting. The Controller integrates and coordinates cross-functionally with staff regarding the accounting and administration of the Tribe’s grants, Tribal Member programs, Per Capita and Children’s Trust distributions. This position is open until filled. Please see the job description for more information.
Sitka Tribe of Alaska
Tribal Attorney, Sitka, AK. The Tribal Attorney is responsible for working with STA’s departments on legal issues with tribal government offices and services. The position is responsible for supervising legal staff, overseeing the realty program and Tribal Court; and for providing direct services to restricted property land owners and native allotment applicants within the Sitka Area. Please see the job description for more information.
Ho-Chunk Nation
Staff Attorney, Black River Falls, WI. Assist Tribal Court Judges and Supreme Court Justices with legal research and the drafting of opinions in a timely manner while facilitating public access to the Court through the provision of procedural legal information. Cover letter, resume, transcripts, writing sample & application are required. Please see the job description for more information. Please submit application materials to: Clerk of Court, Mary Thunder at Mary.Thunder@ho-chunk.com.
The Snoquamie Indian Tribe
RFP, Snoqualmie, WA. requests proposals from individual attorneys and law firms interested in serving as Defense Attorney on a part-time, contractual basis, for a three-year term beginning no later than 30 days after contract execution. The Tribe plans to fill at least two Defense Attorney positions pursuant to this RFP. The Defense Attorney will represent parents in Indian Child Welfare cases and defendants in criminal cases in the Snoqualmie Tribal Court (“Court”), as assigned. Currently, Indian Child Welfare cases constitute the bulk of the case load. The Tribe anticipates that the workload will require, on average, approximately 5-20 hours of legal services per month, although this could vary depending on the number and nature of cases being handled at any given time. Please visit the link for more information.
The Navajo Nation
Associate Attorney, Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ. This position provides a variety of legal advice, research and related legal services in support of the overall operation of the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch; assists with judicial administrative functions, such as researching and recommending policy changes and improvements for overall Judicial Branch. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org. This position is open until filled.
Court Solicitor, Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ. This position provides a variety of legal advice, counseling, research and related legal services in support of the overall operation of the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch; assists with judicial administrative functions, such as recommending policy changes and improvements for overall Judicial Branch; shall supervise and oversee all licensed attorneys, law clerk, hearing officers, supreme court clerk, and law clerk interns of the Judicial Branch. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org. 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.navajocourts.org. This position is open until filled.
Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ. This position shall perform work of unusual difficulty, hear arguments, read briefs and conduct research necessary to pass judgment and issue rulings on cases brought before the Navajo Nation Supreme Court. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org. This position is open until filled.
The Nez Perce Tribe’s Office of Legal Counsel
Staff Attorney, Lapwai, ID. Areas of emphasis for this position include federal Indian law, commercial transactions, employment law, and land matters. Applicants must have a Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school, be a member in good standing of a state bar, and must within one year, if hired, be admitted to the Idaho State Bar. Submit résumé, 5-10 page writing sample, 3 letters of reference, and job application (available at www.nezperce.org) to Human Resources Director, P.O. Box 365, Lapwai, ID 83540. For questions about the position, contact Julie Kane, Managing Attorney, at 208-843-7355.
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
Request for Proposals, Manistee, MI. Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Election Board would expect the Attorney to become familiar with election regulations and procedures, provide assistant for election disputes, and provide legal defense to actions initiated against the Election Board. Please see the description for more information. Proposals are due January 25, 2019.
Environmental Law Institute
Internship. ELI seeks individuals to support the research and publications departments of the Institute. Interns work directly with staff on a variety of projects. Substantive areas of focus include: air and water quality, climate change, renewable energy, hazardous waste and brownfields, international environmental policy, sustainable land use, biodiversity conservation, wetlands management, freshwater and ocean policy, environmental health, environmental enforcement, and mining law. Applications for the spring internship will be accepted until 11:59 pm Friday, March 8, 2019. Please direct all inquiries to internsearch@eli.org. Phone calls are not accepted. Visit the link for more information.
See posts from January 18, 2019.
All Roads Lead to Chaco Canyon – 2nd Annual Conference
Visit the conference website and registration page for more information.
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Press Release on Federal Shutdown
Tribal Justice Project at UC Davis School of Law
The Tribal Justice Project is offering “Tribal Justice for Tribal Communities: Training for Judges and Court Personnel” on January 31, 2019 – February 1, 2019 in Highland, CA (at the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Community). This training serves to train current and prospective tribal court personnel and judges on essential skills on understanding the tribal court foundation, court development, and operating a tribal court. No previous tribal court experience required. The registration fee is $75.
Whether you are looking to begin a new career or improve your training skills, we encourage all who are interested to attend. Space is still available. Register Today!
For more information, please contact Jennifer Leal, Program Administrator, at jleal@ucdavis.edu.
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=gtyqjdlab&oeidk=a07efuxf310d6b9dc47
You’re invited to KU Law’s 23rd annual Tribal Law & Government Conference
The U.S. Supreme Court and the Future of Federal Indian Law
March 8, 2019 | 8:45 AM – 4:45 PM
University of Kansas School of Law
1535 W. 15th Street | Lawrence, KS
6.5 hours CLE pending in KS + MO ($60)
Registration opens in early February. Questions? Contact Rebecca Clayton at rclayton@ku.edu or visit law.ku.edu/tribal
Friday Job Announcements
Job vacancies are posted on Fridays. Any posts received prior to 12pm EST on Friday will appear in that Friday’s announcements. If you would like to submit a post for an open Indian law or leadership job, please send a brief description of the position (which includes position title and location) as well as a PDF job announcement to indigenous@law.msu.edu.
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Right of Way Specialist, Cloquet, MN. The Right-of-Way Specialist, located at the Band’s Natural Resource/Tribal Court building, performs all tasks relating to trust and fee right-of-way activities for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. This includes the subjects of deeds, leases, acquisitions, easements, mapping, surveying, legal descriptions, data management, document recording, planning, National Environmental Policy Act, land use, zoning, and project management. Please see the job description for more information and find the application here or email Lisa at lisashabaiash@fdlrez.com.
Michigan Indian Legal Services, Inc (MILS)
Staff Attorney, Traverse City, MI. MILS represents individuals, families, tribes and organizations in cases that span a range of tribal and federal Indian law cases. This position will focus on tribal and state law legal issues; with an emphasis on tribal court child welfare and criminal defense matters. This position will require overnight travel in the Upper Peninsula. Please see the job description for more information.
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
Request for Proposals, Manistee, MI. Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Election Board would expect the Attorney to become familiar with election regulations and procedures, provide assistant for election disputes, and provide legal defense to actions initiated against the Election Board. Please see the description for more information. Proposals are due January 25, 2019.
Port Madison Enterprises
General Counsel, Suquamish, WA. The General Counsel oversees all legal advice and services, including outside counsel in providing such advice and services, to Port Madison Enterprises and its wholly owned subsidiaries on a broad range of legal and political matters arising in the operation of PME’s various businesses and interests. Please see the position description for more information.
Staff Attorney, Mission, SD. The Mission office serves the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation and Gregory, Jones, Mellette, Todd and Tripp counties in South Dakota. Applicants must be a bright, motivated, self-starter and have the tenacity to assume immediate practice responsibilities, including handling a significant caseload touching on many different areas of law. For more information, please see the job description. Closing date is February 28, 1019.
Managing Attorney, Eagle Butte, SD. Applicant must have at least one year’s experience in the practice of poverty law or Indian law, with trial and appellate experience in state and federal courts or two years’ experience in the general practice of law. For more information, please see the job description. Closing date is February 28, 1019.
Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
Tribal Child Support Attorney, Juneau, AK. The Incumbent will provide legal services and representation to the Tlingit & Haida Tribal Child Support Department by preparing legal documents, drafting policy, reviewing cases, and more. Application Deadline is January 22, 2019, COB 4:30 p.m., electronic applications only. Click on the position link to apply. For questions contact Human Resources: humanresources@ccthita-nsn.gov or call 907/463-7707. Please see the position description for more information.
Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP
Associate Attorney, Louisville, CO. Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP is a nationwide law firm dedicated to the representation of American Indian tribes and organizations. Our firm goes beyond basic legal services to include legislative and governmental issues, corporate and financial affairs, energy and tax issues as well as litigation in many forums, including state, federal, and tribal courts. Please see the job description for more information.
Morongo Band of Mission Indians
Tribal Attorney, Banning, CA. Under the direction of the In House Counsel, the Tribal Attorney shall represent the interests of the Morongo Tribe, Morongo Tribal Government, Morongo Tribal Administration, and Morongo Tribal programs, in matters such as construction, employment law and economic development. For more information please see the job description.
Water Protector Legal Collective (WPLC)
Executive Director, Mandan, ND. The WPLC is a non-profit organization providing legal support, advocacy, and knowledge sharing for Indigenous centered and guided environmental and climate justice movements. The Executive Director will have overall responsibility for the administrative, fiscal and programmatic health and effectiveness of the organization, managing WPLC’s resources soundly, and building WPLC’s overall public image. This position is open until filled. Please see the job description for more information.
Hoopa Valley Tribal Court
RFP, Northern California, 95526. The Hoopa Valley Tribal Court is soliciting proposals to develop, compose and facilitate a community needs assessment and strategic plan. These two deliverables are sequential and interlinked. The Hoopa Valley Tribe encourages Indian owned businesses and contractors to submit proposals and provides a preference. The proposal is due January 25, 2019. Please see the request for more information.
RFS, Northern California, 95526. Address the immediate and long-term needs of crime victims that best match each person’s needs and priorities. Our intended outcome is for victims and survivors to have access and services with low and no barriers. The Hoopa Valley Tribal Court is soliciting statements of intent from Indian owned economic enterprises/contractor(s) to respond to requests for qualifications. Please see the attachment for more information. The statement of intent is due January 28, 2019.
New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA)
Executive Director, Albuquerque, NM. NMLA is committed to helping low income people in their struggle to access food, shelter, security and to preserve their unique cultural heritages. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. In order to receive full consideration, candidates are urged to submit their materials by February 8, 2019. Please see the position description for more information.
Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation
Associate Attorney, Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ. This position provides a variety of legal advice, research and related legal services in support of the overall operation of the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch; assists with judicial administrative functions, such as researching and recommending policy changes and improvements for overall Judicial Branch. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org. This position is open until filled.
Court Solicitor, Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ. This position provides a variety of legal advice, counseling, research and related legal services in support of the overall operation of the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch; assists with judicial administrative functions, such as recommending policy changes and improvements for overall Judicial Branch; shall supervise and oversee all licensed attorneys, law clerk, hearing officers, supreme court clerk, and law clerk interns of the Judicial Branch. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org. 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.navajocourts.org. This position is open until filled.
Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ. This position shall perform work of unusual difficulty, hear arguments, read briefs and conduct research necessary to pass judgment and issue rulings on cases brought before the Navajo Nation Supreme Court. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org. This position is open until filled.
See job posts from January 11, 2019.
2019 Lawrence R. Baca Lifetime Achievement Award – Call for Nominations
Please consider nominating someone for the Lawrence R. Baca Lifetime Achievement Award for 2019.
Past recipients of the Baca Lifetime Achievement Award include Lawrence Baca, Professor Phil Frickey, John Echohawk, Professor David Getches, Alan Taradash, Professor Carole E. Goldberg, Tom Fredericks, Walter Echo-Hawk, Arlinda Locklear, Professor Charles Wilkinson, Professor Bill Rice, Professor Rob Williams, Professor Eric Eberhard and Heather Kendall Miller.
The award will be presented at the FBA Indian Law Conference in Sandia, NM in April 2019. The recipient must be present to receive the award. The deadline for nominations is Friday, February 15, 2019.
Please submit nominations to the Indian Law Section Nominations and Awards Committee at lawrence.baca@yahoo.com with a cc to aalaghbari@fedbar.org. Nominations should specifically address how the nominee meets the criteria for the award outlined below.
Qualifications for Lawrence R. Baca Lifetime Achievement Award:
- Nominee must have worked in the field of Indian law for at least twenty years as a practitioner, judge, legislator, leader, scholar or educator;
2. Be of good standing and held in high esteem in his or her professional arena;
3. And have made significant contributions to the field of Indian law through litigation, development of legislation, scholarship or the development of Indian law students or through tribal leadership.
The nomination submission must include:
1. A nominating letter that specifically addresses in narrative form how the nominee meets each of the three Award criteria.
2. A current resume or vitae. Reference to a website where the information can be found is not accepted as a substitute for the written narrative or resume.
The nomination submission may also include:
- 1-3 letters of support for the nomination.
2. Up to 3 articles about the nominee. Please do not include articles written by the nominee.
Climate Justice Webinar: Municipal, Tribal, and Legal Action
ABA’s Native American Resources Committee is sponsoring a webinar on climate justice, from the perspective of local actors driving change. More information is available here. Wednesday, January 23, 2019, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ET.
Turtle Talk 
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