Turtle Talk

Friday Job Announcements

January 17, 2020Monica Williamson

Any posts for an open Indian law or leadership job received prior to 12pm EST on Friday will appear in that week’s announcement, when the following information is sent 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,
- and any other pertinent details such as links to application;
An attached PDF job announcement.

Please send all job announcements in this requested format. For examples, see the job announcements below.

Pueblo of Laguna

RFP, Defense Legal Services, Pueblo of Laguna, NM. Seeks proposal from any law firm or individual practicing attorney to provide legal services for adult criminal defense or representation of juveniles in delinquency proceedings when there is conflict of interest or unavailability of regular defender. Reply by March 4, 2020.

RFP, Prosecutor Legal Services, Pueblo of Laguna, NM. Seeks proposals from any law firm or individual practicing attorney to provide prosecutorial legal services for adult criminal or juvenile delinquency cases when there is conflict of interest or unavailability of regular prosecutor. Reply by March 4, 2020.

Public Defender, Dept: Pueblo Court, Pueblo of Laguna, NM.Full-time attorney to represent adult criminal defendants and juveniles in delinquency cases in Laguna Pueblo Court. Leisurely commute from Albuquerque metro or Grants. Application is open until filled.

Please visit the Pueblo of Laguna website for more information and application instructions at www.lagunapueblo-nsn.gov or you can contact the Human Resources office at (505) 552-6654.

The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi

Paralegal, Fulton, MI. Develops and maintains archive files for all legal projects; Develops procedures for file management and tracking of open project files; Composes memoranda, correspondence, and draft pleadings/documents; and more.For more information and to apply visit the link. Application closes January 28, 2020 at 8:30AM.

Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Justice

Tribal Prosecutor. This position shall represent the ho-Chunk Nation in the prosecution of criminal code and civil offenses. Coordinate with Ho-Chunk Nation law enforcement for investigations, evaluating evidence, and case preparation. For more information please see the position description. Application form here.

Earthjustice

Deputy Managing Attorney, International Program, San Francisco, CA. The Managing Attorney will directly supervise seven program attorneys and professional staff. Additionally, this role will work with the Managing Attorney and other staff to help develop and lead the program’s growing body of work to speed the transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy solutions in key countries around the world. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Summer 2020 Tribal Partnerships Clerkship, Denver, CO or Seattle, WA. Work with attorneys in the Tribal Partnerships Program to conduct legal research, produce legal writing, and help develop outreach and partnership strategies. Under the supervision of an attorney, a law clerk’s primary responsibilities are to perform legal and factual research, and to develop case strategy and legal theories. For more information please see the position description.

The Suquamish Tribe

Forestry Program Manager, Natural Resource Department, Suquamish, WA. The Program Manager manages and mentors program staff, updates and implements the Port Madison Indian Reservation Forest Management Plan, develops and manages program budgets and grants, evaluates program capacity and needs, and develops strategies to address priorities. This position is open until filled

Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Tenured or Tenure-track Law Professor, St. Paul, MN. Mitchell Hamline School of Law seeks a professor to serve as Co-Director of its Indian Law Program and teach Tribal Law and related courses. Applications close 1/24/20. Contact colette.routel@mitchellhamline.edu with questions.

Yurok Tribe

Title IVE Manager, Northern California. To apply please visit www.yuroktribe.org or call (707) 482-1350 for more information.

Martha L. King, P.C., Native Owned Native Law

Associate Attorney, Albuquerque, NM. Provision of business law services to tribal entities, including developing, amending, advocating, negotiating and/or implementing: governing documents, codes and amendments to support self-governance and economic development; employee handbooks and policies and procedures; intergovernmental agreements; and business documents. Open until filled. For more information please see the position description.

Udall Foundation, John S. McCain III National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution

(Senior) Program Associate, Tucson, AZ. Support and assist Project and Program Managers to provide NCECR services in facilitation and mediation, project intake, management and contracting of neutral third-party contractor selection, support and management of the neutral contract, and support management of multiple projects simultaneously. Closing Date of Application: January 27, 2020. For more information visit the website or see the job description.

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Tribal Court

Contract Grant Writer, Placerville, CA. This is a short-contract position helping a growing Tribal Court in the preparation and submission of a grant tied to the important work of juvenile justice. Timeframes for submitting proposals are shortened due to upcoming project. Deadline January 27, 2020. Please see description for more information.

Legal Aid of Nebraska

Staff Attorney, Norfolk, NE. Provide legal assistance to Native Americans in tribal, state, and federal forums. Emphasis on representing Native survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking. Position open until filled. See job description for more information.

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR)

Tribal Attorney, Office of Legal Counsel, Pendelton, OR. OLC provides legal services and representation to the CTUIR Board of Trustees and all respective tribal departments, managers, and staff. For more information please see the position description.

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, Dilkon Judicial District, Dilkon, 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, 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.

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 posts from January 10, 2020.

Task Force Report Recommending Broad Changes to Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act

January 17, 2020Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the report:

indianclaimstffinalreport.pdf

News coverage here.

New Mexico COA Adopts Federal Test of “Indian” Status for Purposes of Criminal Jurisdiction

January 17, 2020Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in State v. Salazar:

state-v-salazar.pdf

New Mexico Supreme Court Upholds Tribal Sovereignty

January 17, 2020April 15, 2020Neoshia Roemer

In Mendoza v. Isleta Resort and Casino, the New Mexico Supreme Court heard the case of a party who wished to circumvent tribal procedures for a worker’s compensation claim. Ultimately, the New Mexico Supreme Court’s holding is a big win for tribal sovereignty, as it requires an express waiver of sovereignty before permitting a state action to commence over a dispute arising on tribal property. Read more here and listen to the oral arguments here.

Briefs:

Mendoza Opening Brief

Deadline Approaching for Pre-Law Advisor Training Conference

January 16, 2020Monica Williamson

Registration is open until January 24 for the Pre-Law Advisor Training Conference, February 4-5, 2020 at the Isleta Resort and Casino. Visit ailc-inc.org/pre-law-advisors-training for more information and to register.

Identify, Advise, and Support Native Pre-Law Students

Recent scholarship by the American Bar Association establishes that although the total number of Native American law students has steadily increased over the past four decades, legal education in the United States includes very few Native American law students, professors, and/or administrators. It is clear that progress is needed. The Native student population remains well below one percent of the total J.D. enrollment (The Pursuit of Inclusion: An In depth Exploration of the Experiences and Perspectives of Native American Attorneys in the Legal Profession).

Many Native American attorneys report that their decision to pursue legal education was strongly influenced by personal interaction and the persuasion of family, mentors, lawyers, and other professionals. The Pathways to the Legal Profession Conference aims to increase the number of competitive Native law school applicants nationwide by providing mentors necessary skills and resources to identify, advise, and support the next generation of Indigenous attorneys.

Community and Social Network

We invite advisors with an array of titles and responsibilities to attend the conference. This includes community members such as teachers and youth mentors, as well as those who specifically advise American Indian students interested in applying to law school such as educators, school administrators, and pre-law advisors.

This Training Includes…

Keynote session featuring Indian Law professor, Matthew L.M. Fletcher, outlining the need for Native Attorneys
Strategies to identify students who possess qualities that may translate to success in law school
Workshop on applying to law school, covering topics such as advising applicants on their personal statements, resumes, and supplemental statements (including diversity statements and other addenda); financing law school; LSAT Overview; and law school selection
Panel discussion with current Native law students
A national network of pre-law advisors to American Indian prospective law school applicant

Please note, if you are a student interested in law school consider applying to the Native American Pipeline to Law Initiative Admissions Workshop.

Minnesota SCT Confirms Authority of Tribal Police to Detain and Expel Non-Indians from Rez

January 16, 2020Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in State v. Thompson:

state-v.-thompson.pdf

The court’s syllabus:

When, on the Red Lake Reservation, a non-Indian violates a Minnesota law under circumstances where the non-Indian is subject to the State of Minnesota’s criminal jurisdiction, Red Lake Band police officers are authorized to detain and expel the non-Indian from the Reservation.

Gloria Valencia-Weber reappointed to board for Legal Services Corporation

January 16, 2020Monica Williamson

University of New Mexico Emeritus Professor of Law Gloria Valencia-Weber was recently sworn in as one of 11 members of the Board of Directors for Legal Services Corporation, the single largest provider of civil legal aid for the poor in the nation. Valencia-Weber was originally appointed by President Barack Obama in 2010, and was one of six selected for reappointment. Article here.

Call for Art: 2020 ILPC/TICA Conference DUE MARCH 1

January 15, 2020Monica Williamson

Visit https://turtletalk.blog/2020ilpctica/ for more information about the ILPC/TICA Indigenous Law Conference Call for Art and Call for Proposals.

CFP TICA 2020 web banner_03

Call for Proposals: 2020 ILPC/TICA Conference DUE MARCH 1

January 15, 2020January 15, 2020Monica Williamson

Join us November 5-6, 2020

Proposals due March 1, 2020

More information and submission form at https://turtletalk.blog/2020ilpctica/

U. Chi. Law Review Podcast on the Murphy/McGirt Cases

January 15, 2020Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is “Briefly 3.10 – Is Half of Oklahoma Tribal Land?”

From the site:

This is Briefly, a production of the University of Chicago Law Review. Today we are discussing two cases pending before the Supreme Court, which will determine whether roughly half of the land in Oklahoma is actually an Indian Reservation . We’re joined by Elizabeth Reese, a Bigelow Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School, and Matthew L.M. Fletcher, Professor of Law and Director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at Michigan State University College of Law. Music from bensound.com.