Maurisa Bell, NNALSA 3L of the Year

 

Bell
National NALSA 3L of the Year Award recipient, Maurisa Bell (right).

Maurisa Bell grew up on the Wind River Reservation in Riverton, Wyoming. She is an enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and was also raised around her Northern Arapaho family. In 2015, she graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman, MT and completed the Pre-Law Summer Institute program during the summer of 2016. While in law school, Maurisa served as Vice President and Treasurer for the MSU-NALSA, an Area representative for National-NALSA, and volunteered as a student mentor for the Indigenous Law and Policy Center.

She spent her summers in Washington, D.C. working for the Department of Justice’s Office of Tribal Justice; the National Indian Gaming Commission; and Dentons, US LLP in their Native American Law and Policy practice group. She is a dedicated and driven leader who, in just a few weeks, will graduate from the Michigan State University College of Law.

Maurisa will work for Dentons upon graduation, pursuing her passion in helping tribes and tribal communities.

Congratulations, Maurisa!

Comanche Nation of Oklahoma v. Bernhardt Cert Petition [Chickasaw Gaming]

Here is the petition captioned Comanche Nation of Oklahoma v. Zinke [but presumably will switch to Comanche Nation of Oklahoma v. Bernhardt]:

Companche v Zinke Cert Petition

Question presented:

Whether the “former reservation” exception permitting lands acquired by the United States in trust for an Oklahoma Tribe after the effective date of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 to be devoted to gaming purposes, is applicable to lands not subject to Tribal jurisdiction prior to the acquisition.

Lower court materials here.

Federal Court Issues Order in Council Bluffs v. DOI [Ponca Tribe]

Here are the materials in City of Council Bluffs v. United States Department of Interior (S.D. Iowa):

1 Complaint

13 Iowa Complaint

14 Nebraska Complaint

22-1 Council Bluffs MSJ

35-1 NIGC Cross MSJ

49 Ponca Amicus Brief

50 Council Bluffs Reply

53 NIGC Reply

55 DCT Order

I know it’s complicated. For the most part, the court’s decision favors Ponca and NIGC….

Tenth Circuit Decides Comanche Nation v. Zinke [Chickasaw Trust Land Acquisition]

Here is the unpublished order.

Briefs here.

Lower court materials here.

Tenth Circuit Briefs in Comanche Nation v. Zinke [Chickasaw Trust Land Acquisition]

Here:

Comanche Opening Brief

Federal Answer Brief

Reply

Lower court materials here.

D.C. Circuit Rules in Favor of Feds/Tribe in Butte County v. Chaudhuri

Here is the opinion:

Opinion

Briefs here.

Comanche Effort to Shut Down Chickasaw Casino Fails for Now

Here are the materials in Comanche Nation of Oklahoma v. Zinke  (W.D. Okla.):

13-1 Motion for PI

20 Response

26 Reply

33 DCT Order

Friday Job Announcements

Job vacancies are posted on Friday. Some announcements might still appear throughout the week. If you would like your Indian law job posted on Turtle Talk, please email indigenous@law.msu.edu.

Ho-Chunk Nation

Tribal Prosecutor (originally posted 9/8/17), Black River Falls, W.I. The position hours are Monday-Friday 8 AM-4:30 PM. Pay depends on qualifications. Interested applicants should submit an application, resume, and transcripts if they are within 2-5 years of graduating law school. Applicants may visit the Ho-Chunk nation website to apply.

DNA-People’s Legal Services

Attorney vacancies, various locations in A.Z. and N.M. (some originally posted 9/8/17)

Snoqualmie Indian Tribe

Staff Attorney. Provides legal advice, representation, and services regarding a broad range of matters arising in the operation of the Snoqualmie Tribal Government and its various departments, subject to the direction and oversight of the In-House Tribal Attorney. This is an exempt position that reports to the In-House Tribal Attorney. Closes Saturday, December 2, 2017.

Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe

Public Defender(RFP), Kingston, W.A. Seeking proposals from qualified candidates to provide Public Defender services in criminal matters within the jurisdiction of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Community Court. The Public Defender shall assist individuals understand the criminal charges filed, possible outcomes of those charges, the procedures the court is required to follow and to represent defendants throughout the process. The Public Defender must be licensed to practice law in Washington State or eligible as a Rule 9 and under the direction of a supervising attorney. Proposals due by 4:30 PM PT on Tuesday, December 5, 2017.

Lower Brule Sioux Tribe

Prosecuting Attorney, Lower Brule, S.D. Represent the Tribe in prosecution of adults committing criminal acts within tribal jurisdiction, including fish and wildlife offenses.

Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University

(3) Faculty Positions, Indigenous and Aboriginal Law, Northern Land Use Law, Thunder Bay, O.N. Candidates will be appointed as Full, Associate or Assistant Professors, depending on qualifications, teaching, and research experience. These appointments will commence in the summer of 2018 and offer excellent opportunities to join Ontario’s newest law school and contribute to its unique focus on the legal issues of Northern Ontario.

Pascua Yaqui Tribe

Deputy Prosecutor, Tuscon, A.Z. Provide professional legal services of considerable difficulty in criminal and juvenile prosecution, some child-welfare (custodial) litigation and occasionally may assist the Chief Prosecutor with managing the Prosecutor Office.

Columbia Riverkeeper

Staff Attorney, Hood River, O.R. Responsible for working with Riverkeeper’s legal team and other staff to develop and execute Riverkeeper’s legal and policy work, including representing Riverkeeper in litigation and administrative processes. The Staff Attorney work plan will focus on deepening Riverkeeper’s relationship and solidarity work with Columbia River tribes and tribal organizations. Application deadline is Monday, December 4, 2017.

National Indian Gaming Commission

Summer 2018 Interns, Washington D.C. NIGC’s internships are highly competitive. Interns are selected on the basis of their overall applications. Due to the nature of NIGC’s practice, experience or demonstrated interest in Indian law or a background in Indian affairs or gaming is highly desirable. Deadline is Friday, December 1, 2017.

Other jobs posted this week:

Contractual Evaluator(RFP), Grand Traverse Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa (11/6/17)

Previous Friday Job Announcements11/3/17

Friday Job Announcements

Job vacancies are posted on Friday. Some announcements might still appear throughout the week. If you would like your Indian law job posted on Turtle Talk, please email indigenous@law.msu.edu.

Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP

2018 Summer Law Clerks. Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP (“FPM”) is a nationwide firm dedicated to the practice of Federal Indian Law.  FPM represents Native American tribes and organizations in a wide spectrum of areas including business transactions, litigation, and governmental affairs. FPM is seeking applications from second year law students for 2018 Summer Law Clerks for offices in Louisville, Colorado; Omaha, Nebraska; and Sacramento, California. Applicants must be enrolled in an ABA accredited law school.  Experience or coursework in tribal and Federal Indian Law is required and/or preferred  at most FPM office locations. Applicants must also possess excellent analytical, research and communication skills, and the ability to work well independently and as a team member in a fast-paced environment.  FPM offers a competitive hourly wage for a 10 – 12-week summer position.

Applicants should e-mail a cover letter, resume, a writing sample, and law school transcripts to Ann Hacker at ahacker@ndnlaw.com no later than September 30, 2017.  The cover letter must indicate preference for each FPM office location by completing the chart below (i.e.: #1 is for the top location preference followed by 2, 3, etc. If you are not applying for consideration at a particular office location please note N/A). The cover letter should be addressed to Ann Hacker. If your preferred office location includes our Colorado office a separate cover letter needs to be addressed to the attention of Thomas W. Fredericks.

Louisville, CO
Omaha, NE
Sacramento, CA

Department of Justice

Assistant United States Attorney, District of Colorado. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is currently interviewing for an Assistant United States Attorney to serve in Durango, Colorado, as part of the Criminal Division. Closes Tuesday, September 26, 2017.

National Indian Child Welfare Association

Executive Communications Manager, Portland O.R. responsible for promoting NICWA’s public image and visibility through a variety of communications media and provides communications support to the executive director and NICWA staff. Closes Monday, October 2, 2017.

Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska

Appellate Court Administrator, Juneau, A.K. Responsible for developing and managing the Appellate Court expansion project for the Tlingit & Haida Tribal Court, which will include code drafting, hiring and administratively supervising consultants for drafting statutes, policies and procedures; working closely with the Judiciary Committee and Judges; and providing administrative support for the development of the Tlingit & Haida Trial Courts and other Southeast Alaska Tribal Courts.

National Indian Gaming Commission

FOIA Officer, Office of the General Counsel, Washington, D.C. Oversees the Commission’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) program. Responsible for directing the work of the FOIA office staff and developing program policy. Closes Thursday, October 5, 2017.

Ain Dah Yung Center

Indian Child Welfare Compliance Monitor, St. Paul, M.N. Provides court monitoring, education and outreach, and advocacy to ensure court compliance.

Sonosky Chambers Sachse Miller & Monkman, LLP

Attorney, Anchorage, A.K. The Sonosky Chambers firm specializes in representing Native American interests in a wide range of work involving tribal sovereignty and self-governance, health care, complex litigation, appellate and Supreme Court work, legislative affairs, and a wide range of additional matters. Additional information about our firm is available at www.sonosky.com. Interested applicants should have strong credentials and a commitment to representing Native American interests. One to four years’ experience is preferred but all qualified applicants will be considered. Please send a letter of interest, resume, writing sample and transcripts to sue@sonosky.net. All applications will be kept confidential.

Blackfeet Tribe

Staff Attorney, Browning, M.T. Responsible for general litigation matters, employment relations, legislative advocacy, and assisting tribal programs. It is preferred that an applicant have at least five (5) years experience in the practice of law. The applicant must be licensed in the State of Montana and produce a Certificate of Good Standing with the Montana State Bar. The applicant should have demonstrated interest and knowledge of federal Indian Law, administrative law, and trial advocacy.  The position requires personal integrity and the ability to produce timely and accurate written work.  Full-time with salary negotiable.  Applicant must submit to a criminal background check and pass a pre-employment drug screen. Please send a resume, three (3) references and a short writing sample to Blackfeet Legal Department, P. O. Box 849, Browning MT 59417 7777 or email blackfeetlegal@gmail.com. The position will remain open until filled. If you have questions or need further information, please contact the Blackfeet Legal Department at (406) 338-7777.

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

Tribal Health Attorney, Anchorage, A.K. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium anticipates expanding it legal team to support new and exciting initiatives to improve health care quality and access for Alaska Native patients and communities. We are seeking additional legal expertise to assist with new and developing partnerships and transactions, health care and medical staff issues, personnel matters, information technology and security issues, and regulatory compliance.

Ideal candidates will have at least seven years of experience in health law or another relevant field; an understanding of “Indian law,” the intersection between medical staff and employment issues, and government contracting; demonstrated experience working for complex clients in a team-oriented environment; exquisitely good judgment; and the ability to reconcile competing legal principles to assist ANTHC in finding innovative ways to achieve its vision that “Alaska Natives are the healthiest people in the world.”

The Consortium works with Alaska’s Tribal health organizations and over 229 federally recognized Tribes to administer the Alaska Tribal Health System. The Consortium partners with Southcentral Foundation to co-manage the 150+ bed Alaska Native Medical Center, which is a Level II Trauma Center and has achieved Magnet status in recognition of nursing excellence. ANTHC also provides community and environmental health services; constructs health clinics and water and sanitation systems in rural Alaska; develops and deploys telehealth technology; administers an epidemiology center; develops training for allied health providers; and provides technical assistance and support to other members of the Alaska Tribal Health System.

The Consortium’s main office is located in Anchorage, Alaska. In accordance with federal law, ANTHC applies Native Preference in hiring and contracting. Learn more about ANTHC at http://www.anthctoday.org/ and ANMC at http://www.anmc.org/. For more information, please direct inquiries and resumes to Nacole Heslep, General Counsel at ndheslep@anthc.org with “Tribal Attorney B” in the subject line.

Previous Friday Job Announcements: 9/8/17

Nooksack Reaches Settlement with National Indian Gaming Commission

Here:

Nooksack NIGC Settlement