Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

Under the direction of the General Counsel, legal counsel assists in providing legal advice and services to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, including its departments, arms (including the Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise), subdivisions, regulatory bodies, committees, entities and business enterprises (MPTN) concerning legal rights, responsibilities, and obligations.

Juris Doctorate required from an ABA-accredited/approved law school. At least five (5) years of experience practicing law in a government, private or corporate setting with some experience or exposure to the field of federal Indian law. Must be admitted to practice law in a State or federal jurisdiction at time of appointment to position, preferably in the state and federal courts of Connecticut. Must be admitted to practice law in Connecticut and in the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Court within one year of appointment.

Well-developed communication, interpersonal, negotiation, organizational and problem solving skills required. Demonstrated excellent ability to research and analyze (both orally and in written form) legal issues, concerns or problems is required. Excellent ability to communicate legal concepts and analysis to MPTN (including its elected officials, officers, employees and representatives), to patrons, vendors or any other person necessary to resolve a matter is required. Excellent ability to work cooperatively with other attorneys and paralegals and take direction from General Counsel and Legal Counsel, as required. Please note that we have designated this position as a “key” position pursuant to the Tribal and Native American Preference Law.

THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBE PRACTICES TRIBAL AND NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE (33 M.P.T.L.) IN HIRING AND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Salary pay commensurate with education and experience.

PLEASE SEND RESUMES TO:
MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL NATION
OFFICE OF LEGAL COUNSEL
ATTN: KATE GLAZA
2 MATT’S PATH, P.O. BOX 3060
MASHANTUCKET, CT 06338
OR VIA EMAIL TO:
kglaza@mptn-nsn.gov

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Court and Appellate Court Judge Postings

August 5, 2014Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

JUDGE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

APPELLATE JUDGE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Fitch Ratings Waiting for Federal Government to Make Indian Gaming Decisions

November 12, 2009November 12, 2009Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From dBusinessNews (via Pechanga):

In a special report released today (Nov 2009 Fitch Report), Fitch Ratings says there are two important issues that will determine the future for the Native American gaming industry’s expansion: whether tribes will have access to the debt capital needed to finance growth, and federal government policy decisions regarding approvals for future Native American gaming developments on off-reservation lands. Investor sentiment on the Native American gaming sector has soured in this economic downturn, as poor trends in regional gaming markets pressure credit profiles, three tribes defaulted on bond payments in 2009, and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation recently announced a forbearance agreement with its senior lenders after the Tribal Chairman made comments highlighting investors’ concerns about the unique legal issues involved in lending to a tribal government.

Fitch believes many investors are likely to take a ‘wait-and-see’ approach with respect to these ongoing debt workout and restructuring efforts before committing significant additional funds to the sector, making it unlikely a tribe would be successful in arranging debt financing for a large-scale greenfield casino development at the present time (for additional information on this topic see Fitch research ‘Managing Through Distress: Considerations for Investors in Distressed Native American Gaming Credits’, dated May 11, 2009). However, over the longer term, the federal government’s policy stance with respect to approvals for off-reservation gaming projects will be the most important factor shaping the future growth path of the Native American gaming industry.

‘Right now the Native American gaming sector is feeling the effects of poor gaming operating trends and unfavorable credit market conditions, but those issues are likely to be less limiting down the road assuming an economic recovery and improved investor sentiment on the sector,’ said Megan Neuburger, Director at Fitch. ‘Actions taken by the federal government under the Bush Administration in 2008 were clearly an effort to curb off-reservation gaming expansion. Department of Interior officials have recently made public comments that they are in the process of reviewing their policy on off-reservation gaming approvals, and we’re closely following the developments to assess their impact on the industry.’

According to the report, since the promulgation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) set the framework for the Native American gaming industry in 1988, there has been significant political controversy. Proponents of expansion tout the benefits of economic development, while opponents decry ‘reservation shopping’ and the ills associated with the expansion of casino gaming. While it has never been easy for a tribe to obtain the regulatory approvals necessary for gaming on off-reservation land, recent developments have made the likelihood of a successful outcome even more remote. These developments include guidance and a rule published by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2008, as well as the 2009 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Carcieri v. Salazar.

In the special report, Fitch explains these developments, the associated impact on the approval process, and the actions the federal government may take under the Obama Administration with respect to these issues, as well as providing a summary of the implications for the credit outlook for the sector. ‘Native American Gaming Insights: Off-Reservation Gaming Approvals: How Will the Feds Play Their Hand?’ is now available on Fitch’s web site at ‘www.fitchratings.com’.

Additional information is available at ‘www.fitchratings.com’.

NYTs Article on Mashantucket Battlefields

October 13, 2008Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From the NYTs:

JUST a short stroll from the modern-day shops and restaurants of downtown Mystic, English settlers and their Indian allies attacked a fort of Pequot Indians in June 1637 and then set it on fire, killing 500 men, women and children. Battles continued throughout the day as Pequots from other villages counterattacked the English as they retreated to the west.

That battle and others across Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York marked some of the fiercest fighting in the 1636-38 Pequot War, a little-known conflict that allowed the English to defeat the mighty Pequot and set the stage for how the emerging nation would treat Indian tribes over the next three centuries.

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