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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. 

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Social Justice Legal Foundation 

Managing Attorney. The Managing Attorney will: (1) Be an experienced litigator and trial lawyer with a minimum of eight years of experience working in the private or public sector to lead our work and mentor a team of recent law school graduates. (2) Develop and manage high profile litigation matters. (3) Coordinate the training and development of the team, including our fellows. (4) Be highly resourceful and creative thinkers with the ability to excel independently, as well as on teams. The Managing Attorney will report directly to the Executive Director. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can submit their cover letter, resume, and law school transcript to rsteele@socialjusticelaw.org.

Senior Attorney. The Senior Attorney will: (1) Be an experienced litigator and trial lawyer with a minimum of five years of experience working in the private or public sector to lead our work and mentor a team of recent law school graduates. (2) Develop and manage high profile litigation matters. (3) Assist in the training and development of the team, including our fellows. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can submit their cover letter, resume, and law school transcript to rsteele@socialjusticelaw.org. 

Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes – Judicial Branch 

Deputy Attorney General, Concho, OK. Executive Branch. The Deputy Attorney General will: (1) Provide legal representation to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. (2) Represent the tribes in Federal, State, and Tribal Court. (3) Draft petitions, prepare witnesses, officers, and victims for trial, and Prepare Adult and Juvenile Offenders cases. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can submit Tribal application, resume, transcripts, diploma, certifications, license, and CDIB to atisdale@cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov.

Attorney, Concho, OK. The Attorney will: (1) Provide counsel, advice, and representation to tribal members in tribal court. (2) Provide legal representation to tribal members who face misdemeanor criminal charges and felony criminal charges. (3) Develop and implement internal policies for the efficient and effective administration of the Legal Aid Program. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can submit Tribal application, resume, transcripts, diploma, certifications, license, and CDIB to atisdale@cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov.

Court Clerk, Concho, OK. The Court Clerk will: (1) Supervise and direct the hiring, firing, and work of all deputy court clerks. (2) Collect all fines, fees, and costs authorized or required by law to be paid to the Courts and deliver them to the Tribal Treasurer for deposit in the Court fund. (3) Provide a record in the absence of a Court Reporter to accurately and completely record all proceedings and hearings of the court. (4) Assume accounting and budgetary responsibilities of all accounts and funding sources of the Judicial Branch. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can submit Tribal application, resume, transcripts, diploma, certifications, license, and CDIB to atisdale@cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov.

SORNA Project Technical Assistant, Concho, OK. The Project Technical Assistant will: (1) Provide administrative support to the SORNA Program Administrator. (2) Assist with the Tribes requirements of participation in the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website. (3) Engage in community outreach for prevention of victimization by sex offenders and to encourage reporting, investigation and successful and aggressive prosecution of sex offenses. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can submit Tribal application, resume, transcripts, diploma, certifications, license, and CDIB to atisdale@cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov.

Probation Officer, Concho, OK. The Probation Officer will: (1) Manage multiple cases and oversee probationers; compliance with their probation terms. (2) Ensure probationers understand their probation terms, develop rehabilitation plans, monitor progress, and arrange other services to assist probationers to achieve their goals. (3) Develop, recommend, and implement rehabilitation and treatment plans. (4) Arrange for post-release services to facilitate reintegration as a productive member of society. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can submit Tribal application, resume, transcripts, diploma, certifications, license, and CDIB to atisdale@cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov.

The Deputy Court Clerk, Concho, OK. The Deputy Court Clerk will: (1) Collect all fines, fees, and costs authorized or required by law to be paid to the Courts and deliver them to the Tribal  Treasurer for deposit in the Court fund. (2) Administer oaths, issue summons and subpoenas, certify a true  copy of Court records, and accurately keep each and every record of the Supreme and District Courts. (3) Provide a record in the absence of a Court Reporter to accurately and completely record all proceedings and hearings of the Court. (4) Assume accounting and budgetary responsibilities of all accounts and funding sources of the Judicial Branch. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can submit Tribal application, resume, transcripts, diploma, certifications, license, and CDIB to atisdale@cheyenneandarapaho-nsn.gov.

The Hopi Tribe

Chief Prosecutor, Kykotsmovi, AZ. The Chief Prosecutor will: (1) Be responsible for executive and administrative control of the Hopi Office of the Prosecutor, as well as the investigation and prosecution of crimes committed by adult and juvenile offenders within the exterior boundaries of the Hopi Reservation. (2) Representation of minor in need of care matters in the Hopi Children’s Court. (3) Participate as directed in specialty dockets such as the Hopi Family Wellness Court. (4) Respond to inquiries from citizen and governmental offices relating to tribal court procedures and violations of Hopi Tribal laws prosecuted in the Hopi Trial Court. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates may apply by submitting an application to HumanResources@hopi.nsn.us no later than August, 6, 2021.

Licensed Deputy Prosecutor, Kykotsmovi, AZ. The Licensed Deputy Prosecutor will: (1) Perform professional attorney-level legal work in the investigation and prosecution of adult and juvenile criminal offenses through conviction and appeal. (2) Present certain civil cases in the Hopi Family Court. (3) Conduct legal research and preparation of Court documents, including appellate briefs. (4) Participate in specialty dockets such as the Hopi Family Wellness Court. (5) Respond to inquiries from citizen and governmental offices relating to tribal court procedures and violations of Hopi Tribal laws prosecuted in the Hopi Trial Court. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates may apply by submitting an application to HumanResources@hopi.nsn.us no later than August, 6, 2021.

University of Idaho College of Law

Assistant Dean of Admissions, Moscow, ID or Boise, ID. The Assistant Dean will: (1) Report directly to the Dean of the College of Law and serve as a member of the senior leadership team. (2) Recruit for the College’s Native American Law Program, which enjoys significant support from the faculty and administration, as demonstrated by the development of our recent Tribal Homelands Scholarship. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should apply here by July 30, 2021. The application will remain open until the position is filled.

Full Time Faculty — Tax and Estate Planning, Moscow, ID. The Faculty will: (1) Teach the basic tax course, business tax (partnerships and corps), estate planning, and wills. (2) Be able to switch out estate planning for another course every other year (which could include Tribal Nations Economics & Law). On its face, this package does not include much in the Native American law arena. However, that very well could change over time and we have several extracurricular programs that could use expertise in tribal tax, estate planning, tribal economic development, etc.. More details regarding these programs are available by emailing Dylan Hedden-Nicely at dhedden@uidaho.edu. 

The Federal Public Defender – District of New Mexico

Assistant Federal Public Defender, Las Cruces, NM. The Assistant Federal Public Defender will: (1) Represent individuals within Native American and Latin American communities charged with federal crimes. (2) Manage an extensive caseload, develop litigation strategies, prepare pleadings, appear in court at all stages of litigation, and meet with clients, experts, witnesses, family members and others. Interested candidates must, in one PDF document, submit a statement of interest, a resume describing your trial and appellate work, and three references to Margaret A. Katze, Federal Public Defender FDNM-HR@fd.org by August 13, 2021. Reference 2021-09 in the subject. 

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

District Court Judge, Durant, OK. The District Court Judge will: (1) Oversee the functions of the Choctaw Nation District Courts. (2) Sit as an impartial trier of all civil and criminal matters. (3) Supervise the Court Clerk, deputy Clerks, Reporters, and all other officers and associates of the Court. (4) Render decisions on all evidentiary and procedural issues for the orderly administration of justice. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can apply online through the application portal no later than August 16th, 2021.

California Indian Legal Services

Staff Attorney, Sacramento, CA. Legal assistance to low-income individuals and tribes on an extensive range of Indian law issues. Duties will include research and writing, counsel and advice, representation in federal, state, and tribal court, and community outreach. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Patricia De La Cruz-Lyans, Director of Administration at hiring@calindian.org. The position is open until filled.

New Mexico Legal Aid Native American Program

Native American Program Paralegal, Bernalillo, New Mexico. The Paralegal will: (1) Maintain confidential client information in a database. (2) Conduct applicant intakes, collect client data, and provide litigation support. (3) Occasionally travel within the state. (4) Handle cases and matters in several jurisdictions involving federal Indian law and tribal law issues. (5) Represent low-income individuals in Pueblo and tribal courts and other forums, which may include family law, consumer law, and criminal law matters. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can send a current resume and a letter of interest to: jobs@nmlegalaid.org by August 13th, 2021.

Reno-Sparks Indian Colony 

Senior Staff Attorney, Reno, Nevada. The Senior Staff Attorney will: (1) Provide legal counsel and representation including but not limited to the preparation of pleadings, trial and appellate court briefs, negotiations between parties, trial and hearing at the original level of jurisdiction or on appeal, and other tribal, state or federal court or hearing appearances in the best interests of RSIC. (2) Provide legal counsel and representation to the Tribal Chairman and Tribal Council on legal and quasi-legal matters as directed by the Tribal Chairman Tribal Council, and directs and supervises the work of the Staff Attorney. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can send their resume to Esther Sanchez, HR Director esanchez@rsic.org. 

Staff Attorney, Reno, Nevada. The Staff Attorney will: (1) Prepare and render legal opinions concerning the RSIC, its functions, jurisdiction, procedures, and policies. (2) Create a searchable database of RSIC ordinances, laws, resolutions and other documents. (3) Assist in the drafting of documents, ordinances, rules, regulations, applications. (4) Prepare legal analysis and legislation proposed by the RSIC for presentation to the Nevada State Legislature and/or the United States Congress. (5) Attend and provide legal counsel at meetings of the Tribal Council, ad hoc committee meetings and other sessions, conferences, or related functions. (6) Provide a regular, monthly report to the Tribal Council. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants can send their resume directly to Esther Sanchez, HR Director esanchez@rsic.org.

Cowlitz Indian Tribe – Request for Proposal

Consultant, Ridgefield, WA. The Consultant will: (1) Gather information to assess and evaluate the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s processes, systems, past performance, and the strengths and limitations of current Indian Child Welfare operations. (2) Assist in rebuilding an Indian Child Welfare program from start to finish. (3) Assess the efficacy of the systems in place to advocate on behalf of Cowlitz Indian Children involved in child welfare and dependency cases. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants can send applications to Keegan Bordeaux, Staff Attorney kbordeaux@cowlitz.org. Applications are due August 31, 2021.

Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry, LLP

Summer 2022 – Incoming 2L Student Associate. Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson, & Perry LLP is a national law firm dedicated to representing Native American interests in a wide range of endeavors – including trial and appellate litigation, federal Indian law, tribal law, Indian self-determination and self-governance matters, transportation and infrastructure, natural resources, and economic development. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample to Mary Pavel, Partner at mpavel@sonosky.com and also copy kwray@sonosky.com. Applications are due by Friday, October 8th, 2021.

The Federal Public Defender – Districts of South Dakota and North Dakota

Assistant Federal Public Defender, Fargo, North Dakota. The Assistant Federal Public Defender will: (1) Represent individuals accused of federal crimes in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. (2) Represent individuals accused of federal crimes under the Major Crimes Act and other federal statutes on the sovereign lands of Spirit Lake Nation and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Please see the position description for more information. Position announcement and application instructions can be found at www.sdnd.fd.org/careers. Questions should be directed to Jason_Tupman@fd.org. The position is open until filled with priority consideration for applications received prior to September 1, 2021.

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

Federal Indian Law Attorney, Minneapolis, MN. The Federal Indian Law Attorney will assist and advise tribes business ventures and related matters. Please see the position description for more information. Applicants can apply online here by October 1st, 2021. For assistance with the application process, or for accommodations, please contact lawrecruiting@fredlaw.com.

Navajo Nation

Principal Tribal Court Advocate, Office of the Attorney General, Window Rock, AZ. The Principal Tribal Court Advocate will: (1) Perform 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: Present child support enforcement cases before the Office of Hearings and Appeals. (3) Participate in case staffing with Child Support Enforcement officers; provide legal advice and case strategy. This position is open until filled. Please see the position description or apply here.

Chief Prosecutor, Office of the Chief Prosecutor, Window Rock, AZ. The Chief Prosecutor will: (1) Perform administrative, managerial, and prosecution work in directing the Office of the Chief Prosecutor and component districts including the Juvenile Justice and White Collar Crime programs. (2) Administer short and long range planning, organizing, directing, strategic planning for annual, external, and supplemental budgets, and related activities of the Office of the Chief Prosecutor. (3) Coordinate and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the assigned program offices and districts. (4) Adhere to the Plan of Operation and establishing annual goals and objectives, and making necessary amendments. This position serves at the pleasure of the Attorney General. This position is open until filled. Please see the position description or apply here.

 Attorney, Office of the Prosecutor, Ramah, NM. The Attorney will: (1) Represent the interest of the Navajo Nation government under supervision of the Chief Prosecutor/Deputy Chief Prosecutor. (2) Provide and assist several district prosecutor offices in prosecution of criminal and civil cases representing the interests of the Navajo Nation government. (3) Will attend arraignments, trials, adjudications, child dependency adjudications, motion hearings, sentencing/disposition hearings, pretrial conferences, preliminary hearings, and other related issues to court attendance. (4) Establish a case plan with law enforcement personnel from various governmental agencies on most serious criminal offenses. This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor. This position is open until filled. Please see the position description or apply here.

Principal Attorney (Water Right Unit), Office of the Attorney General, Window Rock, AZ. The Principal Attorney will: (1) Represent 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 under general direction of the Assistant Attorney General or the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General. (2) Work closely with technical staff within the Water Rights Unit Staff, Department of Water Resources and other programs within the Navajo Nation, and with consultants. (3) Provide 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).  This position is open until filled. Please see the position description or apply here.

Request for Proposals (RFP), Independent Contractor – Attorney, Window Rock, AZ. The Attorney will: (1) Provide legal services for the Navajo Nation Office of Head Start (“NHS”) in connection with federal Office of Head Start (“OHS”) matters, including laws, and policies, and applicable Navajo Nation laws and policies. (2) Review and draft Navajo Nation laws and policies with respect to Title 10 of the Navajo Nation Code. (3) Draft and review contracts, leases, Facility Use agreements, Intra-Governmental and other agreements, including amendments. (4) Assist in negotiations and consultations. Please see the RFP description for more information. Interested applicants should email their proposals to Christine Benally, Legal Secretary contracts@nndoj.org by Friday, August 13, 2021 at 3 p.m. MDT.

Request for Proposals (RFP), Independent Contractor – Attorney, Window Rock, AZ. The Attorney will: (1) Provide legal services to the Navajo Nation Gaming Regulatory Office (NNGRO) in connection with the Navajo Nation Tribal Gaming Regulations and related operations matters involving the legal interests of the Navajo Nation. (2) Serve as an Appeals Hearing Officer as the presiding officer for all appeals of NNGRO decisions following Section 2056 of the Navajo Gaming Ordinance (5 N.N.C. § 2001 et seq.). Interested applicants should email their proposals to Christine Benally, Legal Secretary contracts@nndoj.org by Friday, August 13, 2021 at 3 p.m. MDT.

Sacks Tierney

Associate Attorney, Scottsdale, AZ. The Associate Attorney will conduct legal research, writing, and analysis. Please see the position description for more information. Applicants should email a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and writing sample to Laura Nance by email at laura.nance@sackstierney.com by August 31, 2021.

Rothstein Donatelli, LLP

Associate Attorney, Tempe, AZ. The Tempe Office of Rothstein Donatelli LLP is seeking an Associate Attorney for its Indian law practice with two or more years of experience and a demonstrated commitment to providing high quality legal services. The ideal candidate will have excellent research and writing skills and experience working with tribal communities. Familiarity with Indian law is preferred. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample to Firm Administrator Manya Snyder at info@rothsteinlaw.com.   The position will remain open until filled.