Turtle Talk

Earthjustice

Spring 2022 Legal Externship – Northeast Regional Office. New York, NY or remote. Legal externs work under the direct supervision of attorneys in the development and prosecution of litigation and other advocacy. Externs will participate in a wide range of tasks, including: (1) Assisting in case investigation, legal research, and discovery; and (2) Preparing memoranda, briefs, and other legal documents for administrative and judicial proceedings. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should apply here and submit a resume, cover letter (see position description for specifics), writing sample, unofficial law school transcript, and list of three references. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Spring 2022 Legal Externship – Los Angeles Office. Los Angeles, CA or remote. Duties include: (1) Working on case development and litigation; (2) Performing legal and factual research and developing case strategy and legal theories; (3) Preparing briefs and motions, meeting with clients and experts; and (4) Participating in moots of oral arguments and attend court proceedings and conferences with opposing counsel. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants should apply here and submit a resume, cover letter (see position description for specifics), unofficial law school transcript, writing sample, and list of references. Applications will be viewed on a rolling basis.

Spring 2022 Legal Externship – Sustainable Food & Farming and Toxic Exposure & Health Programs. Two positions. New York, NY. Duties include: (1) Assisting with case investigation and legal research; and (2) Preparing memoranda and contributing to legal documents for administrative and judicial proceedings. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should apply here and submit a cover letter (see position description for specifics), resume, unofficial law school transcript, writing sample, and a list of references by November 15th, 2021.

Senior Attorney. Denver, CO. Duties include: (1) Protecting public lands and wildlife from fracking, mining, and other threats; (2) Transitioning Colorado and Arizona from reliance on dirty fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy; and (3) Defending disproportionately impacted and tribal communities from pollution and other environmental harm. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should apply through Jobvite and must submit a resume, cover letter (see position description for specifications), writing sample, and three professional references.

DNA – People’s Legal Services

Staff Attorney. Farmington, NM, another DNA location, or remote. Duties include: (1) Providing legal assistance to low-income victims of crime under the New Mexico Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Grant; (2) Following all DNA and NM VOCA Grant policies, requirements, and all other applicable state, federal, and local regulations; (3) Participating in community outreach, training programs, legal clinics, and client education events; and (4) Participating in remote, local, or online intake. Interested candidates should submit an employment application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, and writing sample to HResources@dnalegalservices.org. The position is open until filled.

Community Development Institute (CDI)

Federal Interest Specialist. Remote. Duties include: (1) Researching real property in the public and federal records and providing information on property records to ACF (OHS and the Office of Grants Management); (2) Reviewing the SF-429 real property report and providing findings to OHS and the Office of Grants Management (OGM); and (3) Developing action plans, materials, and resources to guide OHS and OGM in taking next steps to resolve federal interest properties. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to lgravelin@cditeam.org by October 29th, 2021.

Pueblo of Pojoaque

General Counsel. Santa Fe, NM. Duties include: (1) Providing legal services under the direct supervision of the Chief General Counsel; (2) Assuming diverse roles while working with the Pueblo people, their government, and Pueblo corporations; (3) Developing substantial knowledge and understanding of the Pueblo, its departments and businesses, and a general understanding of Indian Law and tribal-federal-state relations and the Pueblo of Pojoaque Law and Order Code. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants should send a resume to sofstehage@pojoaque.org by October 31st, 2021.

The Federal Public Defender

Administrative Officer. Albuquerque, NM. Duties include: (1) Acting as principal advisor to the Defender on all aspects of office administration and management; (2) Assisting with the management of key day-to-day planning, operations, and special projects; (3) Supervising the administrative, information technology, and legal support staff; (4) Managing the financial operations of the defender office; and (5)
Ensuring adherence to federal and local procurement practices and procedures. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should, in one pdf document, submit a statement of interest, detailed resume, and three references to Margaret A. Katze, Federal Public Defender, FDNM-HR@fd.org by November 19th, 2021. Reference 2022-01 in the subject.

Administrative Assistant. Albuquerque, NM. Duties include: (1) Assisting in a variety of
administrative matters regarding operations, finance, procurement, property, space and facilities,
human resources, personnel, and policy; (2) Attending to administrative inquiries from staff in both offices as well as from other organizations; (3) Arranging travel and preparing travel vouchers for payment reimbursement, ensuring accuracy and compliance with government travel regulations; (4) Reviewing and preparing purchase orders and payments; and (5) Overseeing all office ordering and receiving, updating inventory, restocking and maintenance of equipment. Interested candidates should, in one pdf document, submit a statement of interest, resume, and three references to Margaret A. Katze, Federal Public Defender, FDNM-HR@fd.org by November 19th, 2021. Reference 2022-02 in the subject.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law

Project Director – Critical Race Studies Program (CRS). Los Angeles, CA. Learn more about the program here. Duties include: (1) Overseeing the creation of a publicly accessible, real-time tracking project that compiles and interactively presents information about new legislation and other formal policies suppressing anti-racist education, training, or research associated with CRT; (2) Producing briefs and other materials synthesizing and analyzing research and data collected; and (3) Convening academics, litigators, and advocates to discuss and develop the legal theories being used to contest these initiatives. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants should apply here by October 18th, 2021.

Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC)

Native Law Staff Attorney. Anchorage, AK. Duties include: (1) Providing legal services to Association of Village Council Presidents (“AVCP”) member Tribes and tribal members; (2) Representing tribal clients in state child welfare proceedings and enforcing the Indian Child Welfare Act; and (3) Litigating other matters on behalf of AVCP Tribes and tribal members. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three references to Pearl Pickett, Supervising Attorney, ppickett@alsc-law.org. Please reference Native Law Staff Attorney in the subject line of the application. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Alaska Native Justice Center

Summer 2022 Native Law Clerk Intern. Anchorage, AK. Our mission is justice for Alaska Native People. This internship seeks to encourage rising 3L law students to work in the field of Native law.  Interns will have opportunities to pursue a wide variety of projects. We provide legal services to victims and survivors of crime, including representation in family law matters and protective order cases. We also support and partner with Alaska Tribes to build capacity, implement cultural values and remedies, and access resources for Tribal Justice Systems. Finally, we represent Alaska Tribes in State Child of Need Aid cases where the Indian Child Welfare Act (“ICWA”) applies. The internship offers training; the opportunity to shadow experienced attorneys advocating on behalf of Alaska Tribes, tribal organizations and Native people; and a competitive stipend. Alaska Native/American Indian applicants, as defined in P.L. 93-638 Indian Self-Determination Act, who are currently enrolled as 2L law students are encouraged to apply here by November 30th, 2021.

United South & Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET)

Health Policy Analyst. Washington, D.C. Remote work temporarily available. Duties include: (1) Monitoring, identifying, and analyzing health-related developments in programs, policies, regulations, and legislation that may require USET SPF attention and action; (2) Working closely with USET’s Tribal Health Program Support Department and member Tribal Health Programs to identify and provide technical support around health policy issues at the regional and Tribal Nation levels; (3) Assisting in the preparation of talking points, testimony, comments, resolutions, technical reports, data analysis, and white papers on health-related issues to USET SPF member Tribal Nations; and (4) Providing technical support and occasional representation at relevant meetings and conferences, including the meetings of federal Tribal advisory committees. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants should apply through Indeed.

Hoopa Valley Tribe

Associate Tribal Attorney. Hoopa, CA. Duties include: (1) Reviewing and negotiating contracts and government grants; (2) Researching and drafting tribal ordinances; (3) Advising the Tribal Council and Chairman; (4) Coordinating litigations and investigations; and (5) Handling employment matters.  We are open to applicants with a broad range of professional backgrounds. Please see the position description for more details. Please see the detailed minimum qualifications here. Interested applicants should submit an application, resume, and writing sample to Leah Offins, HR Coordinator at l.offins@hoopainsurance.com. The application form can be accessed here and the Hoopa Valley employment site here. The position is open until filled.  

Hobb Straus Associate Attorney

Associate Attorney. Oklahoma City, OK. Duties include: (1) Legal representation of Tribes and Tribal organizations. (2) Promoting and defending tribal rights. (3) Ability to participate in a highly-collaborative environment. (4) Familiarity with tribal communities and cultures and a commitment to tribal representation. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and recent writing sample to Cindy Bonewitz at cbonewitz@hobbsstraus.com. This position is open until filled. 

Echo Hawk & Olsen

Associate Attorney – interested in Business Law, Business Litigation, Employment Law and who is enthusiastic about Indian law. Pocatello, ID. Duties include: (1) Drafting tribal codes, business contracts, policy & procedures, regulations & other critical documents; (2) Communicating legal developments clearly and effectively verbally as well as in writing; and (3) Attention to detail, ability to effectively manage time, work in an organized and detailed manner to meet tight deadlines, keep accurate records, and produce desired results. Please see the position description for more information. Please submit cover letter, resume, references, writing sample and salary requirements to reception@echohawk.com.

Pechanga Indian Reservation

Chief Judge. Temecula, CA. Duties include: (1) Supporting and defending the sovereignty and Constitution and Bylaws of the Pechanga Band, its traditions, customs, and Tribal laws. (2) Exercising considerable independent judgement in managing the docket of the Tribal court, ruling on motions and adjudicatory cases, conducting hearings, and deciding cases in a fair and impartial manner. (3) Providing a tribal forum to resolve legal issues involving child welfare matters; child custody and child support; guardianship and adoption of minors; child welfare issues involving domestic violence, facts of birth and emancipation matters; business leases; employment matters; eminent domain; appeals from the Trust Review Board; cases arising from the Tribal Tax Code; disputes arising from the Pechanga Band Member Health Program; and any other subject matter as directed by the General Membership. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should submit a resume and a letter of intent to HR@pechanga-nsn.gov. The position is open until filled.

California Tribal Families Coalition

2022 Summer Law Clerk. Candidates are preferably rising 3Ls, however, 2Ls with relevant experience prior to or while in law school will be considered. CTFC provides an opportunity for summer law clerks with demonstrated interest in Indian law and/or social welfare law and policy. It is helpful if candidates have completed advanced research, writing, and a clinical placement. Primarily remote, but may include an opportunity to meet in-person in Northern California. Projects will vary. Past projects have included drafting state court briefs, research and writing an opposition to appellate case de-publication, developing training materials on state law, and drafting legal and policy strategy for legislation. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of two references to clerkapp@caltribalfamilies.org. Letters of recommendation are optional. All interviews will be conducted remotely. Deadline to apply is November 5th, 2021.

Indian Law Resource Center

Bilingual (Spanish/English) Attorney. Helena, MT, remote, or Washington, D.C. Duties include: (1) Researching and writing in Spanish and English; (2) Contact and consultations with Indigenous peoples and Indigenous organizations in Mexico and Central and South America; and (3) Asserting and defending Indigenous rights to self-determination and other related rights. Please see the position description for more information. To apply, submit a resume, a writing sample in English or Spanish, and two professional references to mt@indianlaw.org. Applications will be viewed as they are received.

Navajo Nation

Principal Tribal Court Advocate, Office of the Attorney General. Window Rock, AZ. Duties include: (1) Performing 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: Presenting child support enforcement cases before the Office of Hearings and Appeals; (3) Participating in case staffing with Child Support Enforcement officers; and (4) Providing legal advice and case strategy. This position is open until filled. Please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Principal Attorney (Water Right Unit), Office of the Attorney General. Window Rock, AZ.  Under general direction of the Assistant Attorney General or the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General. Duties include: (1) Representing 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; (2) Working closely with technical staff within the Water Rights Unit Staff, Department of Water Resources and other programs within the Navajo Nation, and with consultants retained to provide technical support to the Nation or to serve as expert witnesses; (3) Providing 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. This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Attorney Candidate, Office of the Attorney General. Window Rock, AZ. Under general direction of the Assistant Attorney General, the Attorney General, or the Deputy Attorney General. Duties include: (1) Providing legal direction to Navajo Nation divisions, departments, and offices, regarding a wide range of legal issues; (2) Preparing and presenting civil cases in tribal, municipal, state, federal courts and administrative bodies; (3) Providing advice to and preparing advisory opinions for assigned departments and branches of the government; (4) Conducting legal research, preparing briefs, pleadings and other legal documents; and (5) Assisting in routine operations of Department of Justice. This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Attorney, Office of the Attorney General. Window Rock, AZ. Under the general direction of Attorney General Office and the direct supervision of the assigned Assistant Attorney General. Duties include: (1) Providing legal assistance to the Division of Economic Development, Capital Projects Management Department, the Navajo Gaming Regulatory Office, and other entities of the Navajo Nation; (2) Representing the Navajo Nation programs before courts and administrative tribunals; (3) Providing guidance to the Navajo Nation on gaming related matters and representing the Nation at various gaming meetings with tribes, states, and/or the federal government; (4) Monitoring, advising, and assisting the Navajo Nation on legal matters related to census, redistricting, and voting; and (5) Attending meetings with relevant stakeholders, state, and federal officials. This position is open until October 18, 2021 by 5:00 p.m., please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Chief Prosecutor, Office of the Prosecutor. Window Rock, AZ. Duties include: (1) Performing 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) Administering 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) Coordinating and evaluating the overall effectiveness of the assigned program offices and districts.; and (4) Adhering to the Plan of Operation and establishing annual goals and objectives. This position serves at the pleasure of the Attorney General. This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Attorney, Office of the Prosecutor. Ramah, NM. Under supervision of the Chief Prosecutor/Deputy Chief Prosecutor. Duties include: (1) Representing the interest of the Navajo Nation government; (2) Providing and assisting several district prosecutor offices in prosecution of criminal and civil cases; (3) Attending arraignments, trials, adjudications, child dependency adjudications, motion hearings, and other related issues to court attendance; (4) Preparing all required legal documents; (5) Reviewing investigative reports and related documents and determines nature of the criminal offense; (6) Establishing case plan with and advising law enforcement personnel on most serious criminal offenses; and (7) Preparing and obtaining search warrants, conducting follow ups on cases and elements of cases, conducting legal research, reviewing criminal complaints, interviewing witnesses. This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor. This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Prosecutor, Office of the Prosecutor. Kayenta, AZ. Duties include: (1) Representing the interest of the Navajo Nation in juvenile adjudications, dependencies, Children in Need of Supervision (CHNS); (2) Researching and studying of litigation of juvenile proceedings and child neglect cases; (3) Preparing oral arguments, gathers facts and data; (4) Preparing 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; and (5) Making decisions in sensitive cases and seeking assistance as needed in the juvenile matter. This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor. This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Legal Secretary, Office of the Prosecutor. Dilkon, AZ. Duties include: (1) Drafting legal correspondence, forms, documents, and/or reports, reviews for accuracy, completeness, and conformance with applicable rules and regulations; (2) Finalizing draft notices, petitions, pleadings, complaints, briefs, summons, orders, affidavits and other legal forms; (3) Transcribing hearings, depositions, and meetings for use by the prosecutors/attorneys or as court exhibits; (4) Opening new cases, completing case management, and closing of completed case; and (5) Inputting reports, preparing and generating reports/statistical information. This position is open until filled, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.dpm.navajo-nsn.gov/jobs.html.

Request for Proposals

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) seeks proposals that would provide Will and Estate Planning legal services (Program) directly to CTUIR members (Client). The Program is a pass-through contract administered by the CTUIR Office of Legal Counsel. Services include individual Client meetings, advising and drafting estate planning for trust land and other property they may own, accessing or coordinating with federal and tribal agencies related to the completion of the will drafting, and causing the documents to be filed with the CTUIR Enrollment Office. Apply via https://ctuir.org/contracting-opportunities/rfp-wills-estate-planning-attorney-services/ Umatilla is a tribal preference employer.