Lower Elwha Tribe

Seattle U. School of Law Field Trip to the Elwha River

Ann Tweedy

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Here are some pictures from Sunday’s Seattle U. field trip to view the progress of the Elwha River’s restoration. The trip was led by Robert Elofson, Director of the River Restoration Project for the Lower Elwha Tribe. It was part of a class on the restoration of the River after the removal of the two dams, which is taught by Professors Catherine O’Neill and Eric Eberhard. What lucky students to have the chance to examine the mechanics of a tribal triumph like this one and then to see the on-the-ground evidence firsthand!

Job Announcement: The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe seeks an Associate General Counsel (“Tribal Attorney”)

trentcrable

This is my current employer. It’s a great place to work and a great place to live. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

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The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe seeks a full-time Associate General Counsel for its on-reservation Office of General Counsel. The Office was established in August 2008, and has taken on most of the workload formerly performed by outside counsel. The Associate serves under the supervision of the General Counsel and will have a significant opportunity to help shape the strategic legal planning of the Tribe. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is involved in many important and fascinating issues.

Nature of Practice: The Associate General Counsel is one of two lawyers in the Office. As a salaried professional, the Associate General Counsel will generally have substantial latitude to work on projects directly with the Tribal Council, CEO, and tribal programs, to exercise independent professional judgment, and to contribute to the development of the Office. Duties include all matters pertaining to representation of the tribal government, as assigned or authorized, including: advice to and representation of the Tribe, its officers and staff; drafting of ordinances, regulations, and policies; representation of the Tribe and its entities in tribal, federal, and state courts, administrative tribunals, and before federal and state legislative bodies and agencies; negotiation and review of contracts and commercial transactions; drafting legal documents.

Qualifications: 

  • Required: A law degree from an accredited law school and a license to practice law (lawyers licensed by a state other than Washington must acquire a Washington license ASAP); strong writing, research, negotiation, and interpersonal communication skills; litigation experience; and an ability to thrive in an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural work environment.
  • Desired: A Washington State law license with 5–8 years as a practicing attorney; civil litigation experience in federal, tribal, and state courts; experience in Indian law and tribal-government representation, including ordinance drafting and basic governmental processes such as Self-Governance compacting, grants, contracts, etc.; experience working with federal and state agencies; economic development, gaming, and commercial transaction experience; exceptional writing and research skills.

Location: The Office of General Counsel is located in the Elwha Tribal Center on the Lower Elwha Reservation, about five miles west of Port Angeles, Washington. Port Angeles is a small, historic town located on the Strait of Juan de Fuca and just a few miles from Olympic National Park. The office is approximately 85 miles west of Seattle.

Salary: Depends on experience. Full-time compensation includes medical and dental, retirement savings plan, and other fringe benefits.

Application: Applications must be received by March 15, 2013, but because the Tribe would like to hire a lawyer for this position as soon as possible, applicants are encouraged to apply ASAP. To apply, submit a cover letter, a current resume, at least three professional references, and a writing sample to (e-mail preferred):

            Trent S.W. Crable, Associate General Counsel

            Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe                             

            2851 Lower Elwha Road                                  

            Port Angeles, Washington 98363                     

            E-mail: trent.crable@elwha.nsn.us

Russell Busch on Lower Elwha Dam Removal

Matthew L.M. Fletcher2 Comments

Russell Busch has published “Tribal Advocacy for Elwha River Dams Removal on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula” in the Golden Gate Environmental Law Journal. Here is a taste:

“Torpedo the dams, full speed ahead!” This inversion of Farragut’s famous order seemed appropriate when offered at a celebration of the Elwha Act’s passage, but turned out to be premature. Dam removal is now scheduled to begin in 2012, twenty years after passage of the Elwha Act and a century after the first dam blocked the river.

For the Elwha Tribe, which advocated and worked so tenaciously for dam removal, the success of its efforts will be affirmed only when the United States has actually cleared the way for the salmon to begin reclaiming the spawning grounds of their ancestors. In the meantime, the Tribe, like the fish who keep faith by returning each year to the base of the lower dam, waits patiently for the day the dams finally come down.