Some (but not all!) of the MSU Law Alums Working for Indian Country at the TICA Conference
Indigenous Law and Policy Center
Egregious Misconduct: 2021 Indigenous Law Conference Day 2 Panel 4 – Ethics
Please register to join us virtually for the 18th Annual ILPC/TICA Indigenous Law Conference!
For information about the agenda, sponsorships, and registration, please visit the event site.
Egregious Misconduct
November 5th, 2021 | 2:15pm-3:30pm ET | 1.25 Ethics CLE
Indian Country lawyering is mostly unregulated. Tribes and tribal courts can regulate attorney conduct, but usually do not until there is egregious misconduct. This session explores how tribes could prevent and remedy misconduct. Tribal governments can and should adopt tribally specific rules of professional conduct.
Speakers include:
Matthew L.M. Fletcher: Director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center, Michigan State University College of Law
Moderator – Doreen Nanibaa McPaul: TICA President, Attorney General for the Navajo Nation
Advocacy Strategies: The Law Clerk Perspective: 2021 Indigenous Law Conference Day 2 Panel 3
Please register to join us virtually for the 18th Annual ILPC/TICA Indigenous Law Conference!
For information about the agenda, sponsorships, and registration, please visit the event site.
Advocacy Strategies: The Law Clerk Perspective
November 5th, 2021 | 12:45pm-2:00pm ET | 1.25 CLE
Get the scoop from current and former law clerks who share practical advice to enhance written and oral advocacy. The panel will instruct on justiciability, writing techniques, briefing organization, court protocols, and oral argument approaches. Panelists spotlight a framework for building a coherent case for clients, opposing parties, and the courts.
Speakers include:
Lydia Locklear: (Lumbee) Deputy Tribal Attorney for the Catawba Nation
Joaquin Ray Gallegos: (Jicarilla Apache and Santa Ana Pueblo) Judicial Clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Alexander Mallory: (Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska) Attorney Advisor through the United States Department of Justice Honors Program
Roshanna Toya: (Pueblo of Isleta) Judicial Clerk for the New Mexico Court of Appeals
Moderator – Rodina Cave Parnell: Pre-Law Summer Institute Director, American Indian Law Center, Inc.
Party or Amicus? Deciding When Your Tribal Nation Should Participate in Litigation: 2021 Indigenous Law Conference Day 2 Panel 2
Please register to join us virtually for the 18th Annual ILPC/TICA Indigenous Law Conference!
For information about the agenda, sponsorships, and registration, please visit the event site.
Party or Amicus? Deciding When Your Tribal Nation Should Participate in Litigation
November 5th, 2021 | 10:30am-11:45am ET | 1.25 CLE
This presentation is designed for In-House counsel who advise tribal leadership on whether to intervene or be amicus in litigation affecting their tribal nation. We will discuss the pros and cons of becoming a direct party, whether to directly participate in the case or seek to have it dismissed, types of intervention, reasons for filing an amicus brief, and the reasons why such a brief may or may not be a good idea in specific cases.
Speakers include:
Paul Spruhan: Assistant Attorney General, Navajo Nation DOJ
Chrissi Nimmo: Cherokee Nation, Deputy Attorney General for Cherokee Nation
Megan Topkok: Iñupiaq, Staff Attorney for Kawerak, Inc.
Moderator – Jamie Williams: Student, Michigan State University College of Law
Shifting the Balance of Power: Self Governance and Consultation: 2021 Indigenous Law Conference Day 2 Panel 1
Please register to join us virtually for the 18th Annual ILPC/TICA Indigenous Law Conference!
For information about the agenda, sponsorships, and registration, please visit the event site.
Shifting the Balance of Power: Self Governance and Consultation
November 5th, 2021 | 9:00am-10:15am ET | 1.25 CLE
Self governance is an exercise of tribal sovereignty and self-determination. Tribal self governance is, at its core, a framework for tribal progress because it empowers tribes. This panel will explore the history and key milestones of the tribal self governance movement, with an emphasis on recent developments and upcoming challenges for the expansion of self governance in agencies outside of the BIA and IHS.
Speakers include:
Rob Roy Smith: Managing Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Geoff Strommer: Partner, Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP
Debrah Gee: Navajo Nation and Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Chief Counsel for the Chickasaw Nation Office of Tribal Justice Administration
Moderator – Valerie Shuette: Student, Michigan State University College of Law
Beyond Brackeen: Ongoing Protections for Indian Children: 2021 Indigenous Law Conference Day 1 Panel 3
Please register to join us virtually for the 18th Annual ILPC/TICA Indigenous Law Conference!
For information about the agenda, sponsorships, and registration, please visit the event site.
Beyond Brackeen: Ongoing Protections for Indian Children
November 4th, 2021 | 2:15pm-3:30pm ET | 1.25 CLE
Although the 5th Circuit decision in Brackeen v. Haaland has consumed the ICWA conversation for the last few years, the decision has limited impact. This panel will focus on continuing protections for Indian children. Panelists will discuss other legal methods to protect Indian children, such as state Indian child welfare legislation, and amendments to the federal ICWA.
Speakers include:
April Olson: Attorney, Rothstein Donatelli LLP
Kate Fort: Director of Clinics, Michigan State University College of Law
Austin Moore: Attorney, Native American Disability Law Center
Moderator – Cassondra Church: Legal Counselor, Indigenous Law & Policy Center, Michigan State University College of Law
Consultation Practices: 2021 Indigenous Law Conference Day 1 Panel 2
Please register to join us virtually for the 18th Annual ILPC/TICA Indigenous Law Conference!
For information about the agenda, sponsorships, and registration, please visit the event site.
Consultation Practices
November 4th, 2021 | 12:45pm-2:00pm ET | 1.25 CLE
Tribal consultation laws, whether at the federal, state, or county level, allow Indigenous people to directly participate in decisions that impact their daily lives from health to education and beyond. The presentation explains the variety of tribal consultation laws across US jurisdictions and policies that tribes can use to best suit their communities.
Speakers include:
Joe Sarcinella: Attorney, Drummond Woodsum
Wenona Singel: Associate Director & Professor, Indigenous Law & Policy Center, Michigan State University College of Law
Tehani M. Louis-Perkins: University of Hawai’i
Moderator – Ian F. Tapu: Law Clerk, Hawaii State Judiciary
Tribal Traditional Law in Practice: 2021 Indigenous Law Conference Day 1 Panel 1
Please register to join us virtually for the 18th Annual ILPC/TICA Indigenous Law Conference!
For information about the agenda, sponsorships, and registration, please visit the event site.
Tribal Traditional Law in Practice
November 4th, 2021 | 10:30am-11:45am ET | 1.25 CLE
This presentation unravels the difficulties and reliabilities of incorporating traditional law into modern practices in the context of Diné Fundamental Law statute, oral testimony of the Jemez Pueblo’s elders, and Anishinaabe law and jurisprudence.
Speakers include:
Rodgerick Begay: Assistant Attorney General, DOJ Chapter Unit, Navajo National
Matthew L.M. Fletcher: Director & Professor, Indigenous Law & Policy Center, Michigan State University College of Law
Robert Alan Hershey: Clinical Professor of Law Emeritus, Indigenous Law & Policy Program, University of Arizona College of Law
Moderator – Alyana Jimerson: Student, Michigan State University College of Law
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
The Indigenous Law & Policy Center is at the forefront of Indian law issues and home to one of the most well-known Indigenous Law programs in the nation.
Today on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we recognize this work and celebrate the next generation of water protectors, Indian childhood welfare defenders, and tribal judges supported by the Center, as well as the students and communities they serve.
Artwork: “The Seeds Are Planted” by Zoey Wood-Salomon
Friday Job Announcements
____________________________________________________________________________
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:
- Position title
- Location (city, state)
- Main duties
- Closing date
- Any other pertinent details such as links to the application
- An attached PDF job announcement.
____________________________________________________________________________
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.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Durant, OK. The Assistant Prosecuting Attorney will: (1) Represent the Choctaw Nation in all juvenile cases and deprived actions within the jurisdiction of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. (2) Facilitate communication with federal, state, and local officials regarding juvenile matters involving members of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. (3) Assist in drafting legislation affecting children and juvenile laws. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can apply here.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Legal Department
Associate Tribal Attorney, Cass Lake, MN. The Associate Tribal Attorney will: (1) Analyze ongoing cases and legal issues central to the needs of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. (2) Prepare and analyze contracts, legal documents, Tribal Codes, ordinances and Resolutions. (3) Represent the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in tribal, State and Federal Court. Please see the position description for more information. The position is open until filled, and interested candidates can apply here.
Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services
Social Worker Supervisor II, Sacramento, CA. The Social Worker Supervisor will: (1) Plan, organize, and direct the work of social service staff. (2) Supervise and train lower level social workers. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should apply later than August 2nd, 2021.
Northwest Justice Project
Staff Attorney, Seattle, WA. The Staff Attorney will: (1) Provide advice, consultation, limited and extensive pro se assistance, and representation to Native American crime victims. (2) Develop and maintain relationships with tribal DV advocate programs and personnel. (3) Travel across Washington State for outreach. (4) Conduct legal education events for client groups, social and human services providers, and civil and tribal justice system stakeholders. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample here.
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
Senior Legal Counsel, Mashantucket CT. The Senior Legal Counsel will: (1) Provide legal advice and services to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, including its departments, subdivisions, regulatory bodies, committees, entities and business enterprises. (2) Communicate legal concepts and analysis to resolve matters. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants can send their resume to sferguson@foxwoods.com or apply here.
Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP
Associate Attorney, Louisville, CO. The Associate Attorney will: (1) Provide counsel and legal services to new and existing clients. (2) Participate in business development functions. (3) Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda and necessary pleadings required in all aspects of tribal, federal, and state litigation matters. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants can send their resume, cover letter, writing sample, professional references, and law school transcripts (if graduated less than 5 years ago) to Erin Obray, Firm Administrator eobray@nativelawgroup.com. The position will remain open for 60 days or until filled.
Native American Rights Fund (NARF)
Blaustein Fellow, Boulder, CO. The Blaustein Fellow will: (1) Work with NARF Staff Attorneys and clients in all aspects of complex impact litigation. (2) Represent NARF and NARF clients before various community and stakeholder groups. (3) Represent NARF clients before federal and state agencies and in regulatory proceedings. (4) Build and lead coalitions with diverse stakeholders and work in partnership with other organizations. Position is for two years only and is not a guarantee of full-time NARF employment after the end of the fellowship. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants can submit their resume, cover letter, three professional references, writing sample, and law school transcript no later than 5:00 pm Mountain Daylight Time, on Friday, August 13, 2021, by email to: Kevin Cheng at kcheng@narf.org.
Summer 2022 Law Clerk. Positions are available in Anchorage, AK; Boulder, CO; and Washington, D.C. Please indicate your office preference in your cover letter. The Law Clerk will: (1) Assist NARF attorneys by conducting legal research. (2) Draft legal memorandums and case filings. (3) Verify citations and proofread. (4) Assist in case management and work on special legal projects. Please see the position description for more information. To apply, submit a cover letter (indicate your office preference), resume, non-collaborative legal writing sample, law school transcript, letter of recommendation, and three references to Kevin Cheng, Law Clerk Program Coordinator kcheng@narf.org by September 10, 2021.
The Yakama Nation Department of Justice Services
Attorney II, Toppenish, WA. The Attorney will: (1) Represent and advise tribal member clients in Tribal, Municipal, State and Federal Court systems. (2) Provide a full range of legal services to tribal members in areas such as, criminal, dependency, children’s court, fish and game, civil, family and Federal Indian Law matters. (3) Provide legal education law clinics for the public. Interested applicants can submit an application here by 08/04/21, or contact bevra_jacobson@yakama.com with questions.
Cherokee Nation
Assistant Attorney General I or II (OAG), Tahlequah, OK. The Assistant Attorney General will: (1) Legally represent the Nation and its departments, divisions, programs, boards, commissions, and trust authorities in civil, criminal and juvenile cases both proposed or pending in administrative appeals, tribal, state, federal court and other proceedings. (2) Act as a legal advisor to, draft legal opinions, contracts, policies, and legislation for the Nation. (3) Assist Attorney General and/or Senior Assistant Attorney General concerning transactions of business involving internal affairs, Tribal Council, directors, officers and corporate relations with the general public. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants can apply here by August 4th, 2021. Hiring for two Assistant Attorney General positions.
Alaska Native Justice Center
Legal Fellow, Anchorage, AK. Late summer or early fall 2021, recent law graduates are encouraged to apply. Fellows will: (1) Provide legal services to victims and survivors of crime. (2) Support and partner with Alaska Tribes to build capacity, implement cultural values and remedies, and access resources for Tribal Justice Systems. (3) Represent Alaska Tribes in State Child of Need Aid cases where the Indian Child Welfare Act (“ICWA”) applies. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants can apply here. The position will remain open until filled.
Navajo Nation Department of Justice
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, including legal research, negotiations, legal writing, drafting pleadings, briefs, memoranda, resolutions and other documents for the divisions, departments, or programs assigned. (2) 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 for more information, or apply here.
Principal Attorney (Water Right Unit), Office of the Attorney General, Window Rock, AZ. 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. (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). (4) 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 for more information, or apply here.
Chief Prosecutor, Office of the Chief Prosecutor, Window Rock, AZ. 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 for more information, or apply here.
Attorney, Office of the Prosecutor, Ramah, NM. Under supervision of the Chief Prosecutor/Deputy Chief Prosecutor represents the interest of the Navajo Nation government. The Attorney will: (1) Assist several district prosecutor offices in prosecution of criminal and civil cases representing the interests of the Navajo Nation government. (2) Will attend arraignments, trials, adjudications, child dependency adjudications, and other related issues to court attendance. (3) Prepare legal documents. (4) Provide legal guidance and advice to law enforcement personnel in proceeding with investigation. This position serves at the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor. This position is open until filled. Please see the position description for more information, or apply here.
Earthjustice
Associate Attorney, Miami, FL. The Associate Attorney will: (1) The Associate Attorney will work collaboratively with Florida Regional Office staff located in Miami and Tallahassee, FL, as well as with program staff located throughout the country. (2) Focus on litigation involving water pollution, water conservation, wetlands protection, endangered species protection, fish and wildlife conservation, Everglades restoration, clean and renewable energy, and equal access to a healthy environment for all. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates can apply here by August 10, 2021. Applications submitted afterwards will be viewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Associate Attorney, The Biodiversity Defense Program. Washington, D.C., Seattle, WA, Bozeman, MT (remote). The Associate Attorney will: (1) Work to stem the growing crisis of biodiversity loss. (2) Work closely with more senior lawyers to advance a nationwide litigation and advocacy campaign to protect and preserve our remaining biodiversity. (3) Occasionally travel to work towards nationwide focus. The position is available immediately but we will consider applicants who can start work anytime between now and the fall of 2022. Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, three professional references and a writing sample. Please apply here by September 8, 2021. Applications submitted afterwards will be viewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Director, Outreach and Partnership Advancement, San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, Seattle, WA, Washington, D.C., Miami, FL, Chicago, IL, Tallahassee, FL, New Orleans, LA (remote), Houston, TX (remote). The Director will: (1) Assist Earthjustice staff in outreach and partnership and building networks that support expanding bodies of work with frontline communities, grassroots groups, and other partners. This includes but is not limited to organizations that serve low-income communities, communities of color, and other communities that have been historically targeted to receive heavy pollution burdens. (2) May also maintain their own organization-level relationships with key partners, serve as an Earthjustice ambassador (along with program staff) at events hosted by partners or events that bring partner groups together. (3) Serve as an initial point of contact for organizations or communities seeking to engage with Earthjustice. Please see the position description for more information. Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, three professional references, and a writing sample here by September 8, 2021. After that, applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled..
Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP
Gaming and Compliance Attorney, Omaha, NE or Winnebago, NE. The Gaming and Compliance Attorney will: (1) Be responsible for key projects and functions related to gaming, commercial and construction and A&E contracts, finance, employment law, complex transactions, and state regulatory issues. (2) Review, negotiate, analyze, and draft key company contracts and provide legal advice to applicable business clients including strategic partnership agreements, sponsorship agreements, payment processing agreements, affiliate agreements, and nondisclosure agreements. (3) Support and advise property management, gaming leadership personnel, and other relevant personnel on gaming and related regulatory and compliance matters. (4) Assess applicable gaming and other laws and regulations for possible changes and reforms. Please see the position description for more information. Interested applicants should send their resume and cover letter including salary expectations to careers@bigfirelaw.com.
Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana – Request for Proposals
Request for Proposals (RFP) for COVID-19 Recovery Strategic Planning. Charenton, LA. The Tribe wishes to engage a consultant (or contractor) to develop a comprehensive strategic plan that enables the Tribe to maximize the use of COVID-19 pandemic federal relief—including funds from the FRF—to implement those strategic priorities that facilitate a strong governmental and economic recovery from the pandemic. To that end, the Tribe invites you to submit a response to this Request for Proposals. Please submit your response before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on August 19, 2021. Please see the RFP description for detailed information regarding the submission process. Questions may be directed via email to April Wyatt, Chief Administrative Officer / Tribal Administrator, at aprilc@chitimacha.gov. Please carbon copy Michael Murphy, General Counsel to the Tribe, at mmurphy@thejacobsonlawgroup.com on your email inquiry as well. In the subject line for the inquiry, please insert “RFP – COVID-19 Recovery Strategic Plan.”
The Tribal Law Journal – University of New Mexico School of Law
The Tribal Law Journal is sending out a second call for submissions for Volume 22 of their journal. Submissions will be accepted until October 15, 2021. Please see the attached informational flyer for more details. Article submissions may be sent to us by email at triballawjournal@gmail.com. The Tribal Law Journal accepts both written and oral submissions, including multimedia projects (i.e., interviews, stories, art) from law students, practitioners, tribal members, and faculty members. For more information, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at triballawjournal@gmail.com.
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