Turtle Talk

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

1. In the email body, a typed brief description of the position which includes
   • position title,
   • location (city, state),
   • main duties,
   • closing date,
   • and any other pertinent details such as links to application;
2. An attached PDF job announcement.

Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe

Senior Associate General Counsel, Isabella County, MI. Responsible for representing the Tribe in all judicial and administrative forums and in the Tribe’s governmental and business relations with all persons, organizations and entities, public and private, as directed by General Counsel. The Senior Associate General Counsel will supervise and coordinate the work of the all Associate General Counsel positions. Please visit the link for more information and to apply.

State Bar of Georgia

Executive Director, Atlanta, GA. Responsible for managing and executing the operations of the State Bar of Georgia and its offices, and implementing the policies, programs and objectives set by the Board of Governors. The position encompasses the management of a large staff as well as supervision of large budgets and responsibility for financial matters. For more information please see the position description.

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

Staff Attorney, Swinomish Indian Reservation located on Fidalgo Island across the Swinomish Channel from La Conner, WA. The Office of Tribal Attorney is hiring a staff attorney to provide legal advice and representation, document drafting and collaboration with a wide range of Swinomish Indian Tribal Community policy committees, departments and entities. For more information please see the position description.

Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP

Attorney, Buffalo, New York. Our team provides legal and strategic advice to American Indian tribal governments, tribal courts and other entities committed to advancing tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and economic development in Indian country. To assist with accomplishing our clients’ legal, political and business goals, our attorneys work with clients to design effective legal strategies, defend tribal rights and formulate innovative approaches to transactional issues. A few of our focus areas include: representing and advising tribes on environment and energy issues, representing tribal interests in the state, federal and tribal courts and representing tribal parties in economic development transactions. All interested applicants shall submit a cover letter and resume to the attention of careers@lippes.com. Application is open until filled.

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate

Guardian Ad Litem Attorney, Agency Village, SD. Guardian Ad Litem Attorney is to represent the best interest of the child in the SWO child protection cases, commencing in tribal court.  Closing Date:  August 14^th, 2020 at 04:30PM. Application can be emailed to ArnoldW@SWO-NSN.GOV or DeniseH@SWO-NSN.GOV. Contact can also be at Arnold Williams 698-8238 or Denise Hill 698-8251 with questions. (Tribal preference will apply).

Earthjustice

Senior Counsel, Contracts and Compliance, San Francisco, CA (once our office opens back up; we are currently all remote). The Senior Counsel will draft contracts, conform contracts to Earthjustice standards and help to negotiate contract terms with vendors. There will also be some focus on completing implementation of the Ironclad contract management system, expanding use of the platform features to benefit other departments in their work and perhaps integrating the Ironclad with other platforms at use in the organization. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample here.

(2) Legal Externships, New York; New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The New York Office has undertaken campaigns to improve air and water quality, promote clean energy and transportation policies, and ensure that all state residents are protected from toxic substances. The Northeast Regional office currently has work focusing on clean energy, air quality, and oil and gas development, and water supply and quality. These positions are open in our New York office and expected to be a remote position as Earthjustice has temporarily closed offices and transitioned staff to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are seeking current law students who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment, and are eligible for receiving academic credit for the externship.

Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP

Legislative Analyst, Washington, DC.   Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP, a national law firm dedicated to promoting and defending the interests of Indian tribal governments and organizations, seeks a non-attorney Legislative Analyst to work in its Washington, DC office.  This position is open until filled.  Please see the Job Announcement for more information and how to apply.

Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation

Staff Attorney, Chinle Judicial District, Chinle AZ. This position provides complex legal advice and guidance, conducts legal research, and drafts legal documents in support of judges and other court staff. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org/vacancies. This position is open until filled.

Staff Attorney, Aneth Judicial District, Aneth, UT. This position provides complex legal advice and guidance, conducts legal research, and drafts legal documents in support of judges and other court staff. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org/vacancies. This position is open until filled.

Staff Attorney, Kayenta Judicial District, Kayenta, AZ. This position provides complex legal advice and guidance, conducts legal research, and drafts legal documents in support of judges and other court staff. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org/vacancies. 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.  ​

Pokégnek Bodéwadmik, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi

Director of Finance, Dowagiac, MI. Accomplish the Pokagon Band Department of Finance objectives by planning, organizing, and directing all work required to operate and maintain departmental and other Tribal enterprise activities and services. Ensure financial and accounting policies, functions, resources, and programs are maintained in accordance with established laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Government Accounting Standards. Application open until filled. Link to apply here.

See announcements from July 10, 2020.