Turtle Talk

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

In the email body:

A typed brief description of the position which includes

• Position title
• Location (city, state)
• Main duties
• Closing date
• Any other pertinent details, such as a link to the application
• An attached PDF job announcement or link to the position description

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community 

Staff Attorney, with Emphasis in Natural Resources Law and Code Drafting. La Conner, WA. Under the supervision of the Director of Office of Tribal Attorney, the duties and responsibilities of this position are those of a staff attorney, with primary emphasis encompassing natural resource legal issues and drafting/revising the Swinomish Tribal Code, as well as providing legal services to the Tribe’s didgʷálič Wellness Center. Open until filled. 

Washburn University School of Law 

Family Justice and Immigration Clinic, Associate Professor of Law. Topeka, KS. WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW invites applicants for a tenure-track position to teach in the Washburn Law Clinic and to teach complementary doctrinal courses, beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year. Washburn Law has a unitary tenure track with scholarship support including summer writing stipends, year-round research assistants, and funding for travel to conferences. This nine-month tenured/tenure-track position is one of five open tenured/tenure-track positions in the School of Law. Open until filled.  

Tenure-Track Associate Professor of Law. Topeka, KS. WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW invites applicants for two tenure-track positions, beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year. We are especially interested in candidates who have experience in property, real estate transactions, bankruptcy, housing law; contracts, secured/commercial transactions; remedies, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, mediation; evidence; and professional responsibility. The selected candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to pursuing teaching excellence, including a dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage students from diverse backgrounds. 

Director of Academic Enrichment and Bar Passage, Associate Professor of Law. Topeka, KS. WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW invites applicants for the tenure-track position of Director of Academic Enrichment and Bar Passage, beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year. Washburn Law has a unitary tenure-track with scholarship support including summer writing stipends, year-round research assistants, and funding for travel to conferences. This nine-month tenured/tenure-track position is one of five open tenured/tenure-track positions in the School of Law. 

Associate Professor/Professor of Environmental Law/Natural Resources. Topeka, KS. WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW invites applicants for a tenured/tenure-track position in environmental and natural resources law, beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year. We are especially interested in candidates who have experience in and are willing to teach survey and advanced courses in environmental law (including environmental justice), energy law (including oil and gas, renewables, and utility regulation), and federal Indian law, as well as one first year course, preferably Property or Contracts. The selected candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to pursuing teaching excellence, including a dedication to developing inclusive teaching practices that engage students from diverse backgrounds.  

Oglala Sioux Tribe 

Attorney General. Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, SD. The Attorney General is the Chief Prosecutor of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. The Attorney General shall be directly responsible to the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council. The Attorney General may be dismissed upon ninety (90) days written notice by the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council. The Attorney General is responsible for providing administrative, management, and technical expertise in performing all administrative and programmatic functions of the Oglala Sioux Tribe Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney General will supervise a support staff of eight (8) persons, including four (4) Tribal Prosecutors and four (4) clerks, in the day-to-day operations of the office. The Attorney General shall be responsible for their work performance, time and attendance, approval and disapproval of leave, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions, if necessary. The Attorney General will review training needs of staff and ensure that those needs are met to improve job performance. The election for the Attorney General will be made by the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council. Open until filled. 

Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP 

Policy Specialist/Lobbyist. Washington D.C.  Seeking candidates with 3-5 years of policy experience related to Indian Country issues.  The right candidate will have a significant history working with tribal communities and federal decision makers, but particularly knowledge of Capitol Hill.  This position is responsible to track and monitor key developments in the U.S. Congress, at the White House, and at federal agencies for applicability to clients; attend and analyze Congressional hearings and press events on behalf of clients; create written analysis and advice for clients based on legislative and executive activity relevant to Indian Country; schedule and attend Congressional and agency meetings, including coordination and preparation of materials for those meetings; and generate significant billable work for clients related to federal policy on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. Open until filled. 

Pueblo of Laguna 

In-House Attorney. Laguna, NM – Full-time attorney to provide legal advice, draft codes and policies, and protect government interests performing general counsel legal work.  One of three In-house attorneys and works with Pueblo officials and management under supervision of Government Affairs Director.  Mostly transactional with some litigation.  Compensation DOE, open until filled.   

Public Defender. Laguna, NM – Full-time attorney to represent and advocate for adults in criminal cases and juveniles in delinquency cases before Laguna Pueblo Court when accused of violating Pueblo of Laguna law.  Advocates for Pueblo community members to achieve justice and rehabilitation.  One of two legal positions in Community Legal Services division and shares full-time assistant the Pueblo’s legal aid attorney, works under supervision of Government Affairs Director.  Compensation DOE, open until filled.   

Prosecutor. Laguna, NM – Full-time attorney to prosecute adult criminal defendants and juveniles in Laguna Pueblo Court for violating Laguna Pueblo law.  Advocates for the Pueblo to achieve justice and rehabilitation.  Works in office having a full-time assistant and victim’s advocate, and is under supervision of the Pueblo Governor. Open until filled. 

Michigan Indian Legal Services  

Project Manager. Traverse City, MI. Remote work from within Michigan is an option. This is a two-year, grant-funded position. The position will support the implementation of MILS’ pro bono program by working with the MILS staff and an Advisory Committee to develop and implement a statewide pro bono program to provide self-help and educational materials. Open until filled.   

Touro University, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center  

Assistant Dean for Academic Excellence and Bar Success. Central Islip, NY. The administrator’s primary responsibilities will be to: (1) oversee the operations of the law school’s Academic Excellence and Bar Success Department; (2) to design and implement programs for students’ academic success in law school and (3) to design and implement strategies and programs for graduating students’ success on the bar exam. The Assistant Dean will also teach bar readiness courses as needed, and may have the opportunity to teach substantive courses, depending on the needs of the Law Center. The Assistant Dean will serve as an advisor to the Dean and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in matters relating to student success in law school and on the bar exam. Closing date – The position is open until closed. 

Oglala Lakota Housing Authority  

RFP – Judicial Services for Administrative Eviction and Personnel Proceedings. Pine Ridge, SD. The applicant shall provide the following services: Preside over Office of Eviction Hearings proceedings, approval of the issuance of subpoenas, review all pleadings submitted prior to the hearing, research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedential decisions to prepare for hearings and to issue orders, explain the procedure for the eviction or personnel hearings to the parties before beginning the proceeding. Closing Date: September 7, 2023, 4:30 P.M. Mountain Time. 

Earthjustice  

Managing Attorney – Clean Energy Program. Washington, D.C.; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA, Los Angeles, or San Francisco, CA. The Managing Attorney leads and oversees the work of the Clean Energy Program, providing leadership for a team comprised of roughly 40 attorneys and professional staff based in several locations across the country. The Managing Attorney will directly supervise and collaborate with a group of senior staff who have responsibilities related to management, supervision and/or program leadership, and will work across the whole program to support team members and advance our program goals. The application period closes on 9/5/2023. 

Rothstein Donatelli LLP 

Associate Attorney – Indian Law. Tempe, AZ. Rothstein Donatelli LLP has offices in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Tempe, Arizona. The Tempe office is seeking an associate attorney for its Indian law practice group. The ideal candidate will have three or more years of experience with a demonstrated commitment to the highest quality of legal practice, excellent research and writing skills, and an interest in representing tribal Nations. Experience in Indian law is not required. Open until filled. 

Harvard Environmental and Energy Law Program  

Legal Fellowship. Cambridge, MA. Harvard Law School’s Environmental and Energy Law Program (EELP) is seeking a Legal Fellow for 2024-2025 with the potential to renew for one additional year. The fellowship is a full-time, in-person, internally funded position in Cambridge, Massachusetts beginning in the fall semester of 2024. The Fellow will provide legal research and analysis on a range of current issues in environmental and energy law, including regulatory actions to address climate change and environmental protection. Applications are due no later than Nov. 1, 2023. 

California Tribal Families Coalition  

2023-24 Law Clerks. Remote. The California Tribal Families Coalition (CTFC) is a nonprofit social welfare membership organization that is led by a Board of Directors comprised of elected tribal leaders. The mission of CTFC is to promote the health, safety and welfare of tribal children and families, which are inherent tribal governmental functions and are at the core of tribal sovereignty and tribal governance. CTFC provides an opportunity for semester law clerks with demonstrated interest in Indian law and/or social welfare law and policy. The application deadline is August 25, 2023 and will be accepted on a rolling basis.  

Navajo Nation Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General 

Principal Attorney (Water Right Unit). Window Rock, AZ.  Under general direction of the Assistant Attorney General or the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, professionally represents 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. The Principal Attorney provides 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. Open until filled. 

Attorney (Human Services and Government Unit). Window Rock, AZ. Under general direction of the Assistant Attorney General or the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, represents the Navajo Nation government in reviewing documents, such as services contracts, sub-recipient and grant agreements, legislation, proposed policies, etc., for legal sufficiency. Participates in negotiations regarding legal documents/agreements with parties outside of the Navajo Nation. Respond to Request for Services and other legal inquiries from clients. Perform legal research and provide legal advice verbally and in writing. Legal advice and services will include: conducting initial eligibility determination reviews on proposed FRF expenditure plans; interpreting federal, state, and Navajo laws, regulation, policies, and procedures; and advising on legal compliance in the implementation of FRF programs and projects. This position is open until filled. 

Attorney (Human Services and Government Unit). Window Rock, AZ. Under general direction of Assistant Attorney General or the Attorney General, and Deputy Attorney General, provides legal direction to Navajo Nation Division, Departments and Offices, regarding a wide range of legal issues, including statutory and regulatory authority, contract disputes and procurement issues; and intergovernmental relations; performs professional legal work in research, trial prep and other legal work; and performs related duties as required. Confers with, gives advice to, and prepares opinions for assigned departments and branches of the government; drafts legal and judicial processes; prepares interpretations of new legislation and judicial decisions; reviews contracts, leases, permits and related documents; interviews witnesses, complainants, and others on a variety of legal matters; conducts legal research, prepares briefs, pleadings and other legal documents. This position is open until filled. 

Attorney (Economic/Community Development Unit). Window Rock, AZ. Under the general direction of Attorney General Office and the direct supervision of the assigned Assistant Attorney General. The Attorney provides legal assistance to the Division of Economic Development, Division of Community Development, the Navajo Gaming Regulatory Office, and other entities of the Navajo Nation as needed. The Attorney represents the Navajo Nation on matters related to state and federal voting; and on matters related to the Navajo Nation’s gaming compacts. The Attorney will work on a wide range of legal issues including drafting and updating code and regulations; statutory and regulatory compliance; construction and professional service contracts; business site leases and business development; and intellectual property. The Attorney will represent the Navajo Nation before courts and administrative tribunals as needed. The Attorney will have other duties and responsibilities as assigned.  This position is open until filled. 

Principal Attorney (Natural Resources Unit). Window Rock, AZ. Legal work related to Federal, State and Navajo Nation courts and administrative tribunal representation of the Navajo Nation Government, as assigned by the Assistant Attorney General of the Natural Resources Unit or the Office of the (Attorney General Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General), including representation of the Division of Natural Resources and the Navajo Environmental Protection Agency regarding a wide range of environmental and natural resources legal issues, conduct legal research, interview witnesses, prepare briefs and pleadings. Confers with and provides legal direction to Navajo Nation Divisions, Departments, Navajo Nation Council and Committees regarding a wide range of legal issues, including statutory and regulatory compliance, interpretations of new legislation and judicial decisions, contract and procurements issues. Reviews contracts, leases, permits and other legal documents. Other duties as assigned. This position is open until filled.  

Principal Attorney (Tax & Finance Unit). Window Rock, AZ. Under the general direction of the Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General, and Deputy Attorney General, represents and advises, meets and confers with, and resolves legal issues for, the Navajo Nation Office of the Controller (OOC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Navajo Tax Commission (ONTC), Navajo Tax Commission (NTC), Department of Retirement Services (NDRS), Fiscal Recovery Funds Office (FRFO), Retirement Plan Administration Committee (RPAC), Budget and Finance Committee (BFC), Investment Committee (IC), and as required, to the Navajo Nation Council and Standing Committees, the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches, and Chapters regarding a wide range of legal issues. Attends meetings of, and analyzes pending legislation, drafts memoranda, and provides reports and legal advice for, the BFC, NTC, RPAC, IC and, as required, the Navajo Nation Council and Committees. Conducts legal research; drafts and reviews memoranda, legal opinions, contracts, legislation, finance transaction documents, reports, and other legal documents; advises clients on statutory and regulatory compliance, contract disputes, procurement issues, and other legal matters; assists to prepare and present cases in tribal, municipal, state, and federal courts; and performs related duties, as required. This position is open until filled. 

Attorney Candidate (Natural Resources Unit). Window Rock, AZ.  Legal work related to Federal, Navajo Nation, State courts and administrative tribunal representation of the Navajo Nation Government, as assigned by the Assistant Attorney General of the Natural Resources Unit or the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General. Provide legal assistance to the Division of Natural Resources, the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency and other entities of the Navajo Nation as needed regarding a wide range of legal issues. Review contracts, leases, permits, grant agreements, legislation, and proposed policies for legal sufficiency. Assists in routine operations of the Department of Justice. Other duties as assigned.  This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html. 

Attorney (Natural Resources Unit). Window Rock, AZ. Under the general direction of the Assistant Attorney General or the Attorney General, and Deputy Attorney General. Legal work related to Federal, State and Navajo Nation courts and administrative tribunal representation of the Navajo Nation Government, as assigned by the Assistant Attorney General of the Natural Resources Unit or the Office of the Attorney General (Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General), including legal research, drafting pleadings pertaining to environmental and natural resource legal issues. Confers with and provides legal direction to Navajo Nation Divisions, Departments, Navajo Nation Council and Committees on a variety of legal issues, including statutory and regulatory compliance, interpretations of new legislation and judicial decisions, contract and procurements issues. Reviews contracts, leases, permits and related documents. This position is open until filled. 

Attorney (Natural Resources Unit/FRF). Window Rock, AZ. Under general direction of the Assistant Attorney General or the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General. Review documents, such as services contracts, sub-recipient and grant agreements, legislation, proposed policies, etc., for legal sufficiency. Participate in negotiations regarding legal documents/agreements with parties outside of the Navajo Nation. Respond to Request for Services and other legal inquiries from clients. Perform legal research and provide legal advice verbally and in writing. Legal advice and services will include: conducting initial eligibility determination reviews on proposed FRF expenditure plans; interpreting federal, state, and Navajo laws, regulation, policies, and procedures; and advising on legal compliance in the implementation of FRF programs and projects. This position is open until filled. 

Navajo Nation Office of the Prosecutor  

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. 

Senior Prosecutor. Crownpoint, NM. Represents the interest of the Navajo Nation in prosecuting individuals alleged to have violated provisions of the Navajo Nation Code and present major and complex litigation in District and Family Courts. 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; collaborates with law enforcement agencies; and negotiates settlement with opposing parties. This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor.  This position is open until filled.