Job Opportunity – Staff Attorney

Squaxin Island Tribe

The Legal Department advises and represents the Squaxin Island Tribe in Federal, Squaxin Island and State courts and in administrative proceedings.  The Department’s practice includes legal advice; document drafting and collaboration with a wide range of Squaxin Island policy committees, departments and entities; contract preparation and review; drafting ordinances; economic development; intergovernmental issues; treaty hunting and fishing rights and management; reservation lands governance and management; water rights; environmental protection; Indian gaming; and housing and utilities.

For full job description and application submission, click here: http://squaxinisland.org/staff-attorney/

Job Opportunity – Tribal Liaison

The Office of Government Relations is seeking candidates for the City of Portland Tribal Liaison position. A primary objective is to assist the City Council and all City bureaus to strengthen relationships and coordinate overall policy development with Tribal Governments and the American Indian/ Alaska Native community in Portland. The position acts as a primary point of contact for City Council and all city bureaus and offices, and convenes the Portland Native American Advisory Commission. In addition to formalizing ongoing relationships with tribal governments and the urban Indian community, this person will provide access to expertise on tribal history, treaties, sovereignty, self-governance, protocols, customs and traditions, natural resources, relevant economic enterprises and cultural properties. The Tribal Liaison will report to the Director of Government Relations and hold a full-time position within the Office of Government Relations.

Closing Date: 7/10/17 4:30 pm

Download full job description: Portland Tribal Liaison

Legal News Updates from ILP

US v. Gila Valley Irrigation District, No. 14-16942 (9th Cir., June 13, 2017):  http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2017/06/13/14-16942.pdf

https://www.indianz.com/News/2017/06/15/cronkite-news-tribes-win-decision-in-wat.asp

Gila River v. DCS, No. CV-16-0220-PR (Ariz., June 13, 2017):  http://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/OpinionFiles/Supreme/2017/Gila%20River%20v.%20DCS%20Opinion.pdf

https://turtletalk.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/arizona-supreme-court-decides-icwa-transfer-case/

http://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2017/05/tohono-oodham-nation-and-state-arizona-settle-casino-litigation

Job Opportunity – In House Staff Attorney

Blackfeet Tribe

In House Staff-Attorney. Will represent the Tribe in administrative and civil litigation proceedings in federal, state and tribal forums. Primarily 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.  Salary will be 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.

Job announcement provided by Turtle Talk

Job Opportunity – Associate

Echo Hawk & Olsen, PLLC

Deadline: June 30, 2017

Associate, Indian law practice group. A small firm based in Idaho with a regional Indian law practice (Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Arizona) dedicated to representing Native American interests is recruiting an Associate.  The Associate will work closely with Mark Echo Hawk in representing multiple tribes on matters involving federal Indian law, tribal law, litigation, ISDEAA matters, treaty rights, jurisdiction, taxation, TERO, economic development, etc.  Preferably the candidate has at least one year of experience practicing Indian law.  Interested applicants should send the following a cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample to Mark Echo Hawk at mark@echohawk.com no later than June 30, 2017.

Recent job announcement provided by Turtle Talk

ILP Welcome Dinner – Aug. 24

 

ILP Welcome Dinner
August 24, 2017 / 6 p.m.
Beus Center for Law and Society
Conference Center, Room 544, 5th floor

Join the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the Indian Legal Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law for a casual reception. We’re excited to welcome newly admitted students to downtown Phoenix campus, and share information about our upcoming events and activities where students can get involved.

RSVP by August 18th to ILP@asu.edu or at 480.965.2922. Come join us!

Job Opportunity – Ethics Attorney

ETHICS ATTORNEY (1) – IC 13/14 CORE (Duty Station:  FEMA HQ, Washington, DC)

Are you interested in helping to promote good governance and maintain a high level of public confidence in the integrity of FEMA programs and operations?  Would you like to work closely with our Deployable and Regional Counsel and FEMA Reservists on ethics matters?  The Legal Counsel and Ethics Division (LCELD) has one (1) CORE for an IC-13/14 attorney position in the Ethics group.  The attorney will report to the Deputy Associate Chief Counsel, Ethics.

Typical work assignments include:

• Assisting, coordinating, researching, preparing, and reviewing ethics advice prepared by FEMA’s Deployable Field Counsel and Regional Counsel.
• Train FEMA’s Deployable Field Counsel, Regional Counsel, and other FEMA employees on relevant ethics topics.
• Work with ethics counselors to resolve novel ethical issues or those that may have broader policy implications affecting the disaster work of FEMA employees.
• Review and analyze Office of Government Ethics confidential and public financial disclosure forms.
• Provide legal advice on ethics matters to FEMA employees (particularly to employees within the FEMA reservist program), and participate in the development of DHS policies, directives, and procedures concerning office matters which have a direct impact on FEMA’s mission.

The candidate must be organized, have strong written and oral communication skills, and have the ability to work on sensitive matters in a fast-paced environment.  A successful candidate must have following minimum qualifications:

1.  A J.D. or LL.B. degree from an ABA accredited law school.
2.  An active membership, in good standing, of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
3.  Proficiency in legal research methods, including familiarity with on-line legal databases and other agency resources.
4.  Ability to clearly and effectively communicate authoritative oral legal advice concerning legal issues.
5.  Skill in interpreting the law and applying it to specific situations and the exercise of legal judgment.
6.  Ability to render authoritative written and legal opinions and products involving legal issues.
7.  Skill in reviewing all legal documents (e.g., ethics agreements, legal policies, financial disclosure documents) for legal sufficiency and avoiding even the appearance of conflicts of interest.
8.  A team oriented approach and strong communications skills both written and oral.

Applicants should possess strong skills in using a personal computer and software applications such as Microsoft Office, Sharepoint, and database systems, or similar applications.  Excellent organizational and project management skills are required, and applicants will be expected to manage multiple competing priorities under short deadlines.  Applicants should also possess the following characteristics and competencies:  sound judgment, reliability, decisiveness, flexibility, initiative, professionalism, the ability to function independently and as part of a team, and strong interpersonal relationship skills.

This is a laddered position.  At the IC-13 level (GS-13 equivalent), the candidate must have at least two years of legal experience, with at least one year of that experience equivalent to the IC-12 (GS-12 equivalent) level.  At the IC-14 level (GS-14 equivalent), the candidate must have at least three years of legal experience with at least one year of that experience equivalent to the IC-13 level (GS-13 equivalent).  This is a Public Trust position.  This is a Temporary Full Time position with a two-year appointment to the Excepted Service.

Interested applicants for the position should send a resume and cover letter to Mr. David Whitman at fema-ethics@fema.dhs.gov by Friday, July 7, 2017, indicating their relevant experience and the grade level for which they are applying.

Job Opportunity – Assistant Attorney General

San Carlos Apache Tribe
Office of the Attorney General

Vacancy Announcement No. #17-146
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
As the Assistant Attorney General under the supervision of the Tribal Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney General will prepare and review contracts, agreements, leases, rights of way and similar documents in order to promote the legal interests of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Prepare drafts and presents Resolutions and Ordinances to the Tribal Council, provides legal advice and services on legal rights, obligations and privileges of the tribe. Reviews federal legislation, federal regulations, constitutional provisions, statutes, and case law decisions. Examines legal data and conducts research on assigned legal matters, and drafts legal memoranda; summarizing results and legal conclusions. Represents the tribe in agreements promoting the best legal and financial interests of the tribe. Appear in and represent the Tribe in federal, state and tribal courts. Maintain professional and technical knowledge by conducting appropriate research, review case histories and rulings, attend workshops, conferences and seminars. Establishes networks, confers with representatives of contracting agencies and related organization. Maintains documentation and confidentiality of all privileged information. Contributes to a team effort and perform other job related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Basic Requirements: Successful completion of a course of study in accredited law school leading to a Juris Doctor Degree recognized as adequate to meet the qualification for admission to the practice of law in the State of Arizona. NOTE: Applicant must submit a copy of all transcripts and/or degrees to meet positive education requirements.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, candidates must have had one year of specialized experience.

Specialized experience is experience as an in-house counsel for a government or nonprofit organization or a closely related field. Examples of the type of experience that will be credited are shown above under “Duties and Responsibilities”.

Download full job description and application process here: Assistant Attorney General 17-146

Job Opportunity – Criminal Justice Advocacy & Policy Counsel/Strategist

THE POSITION
Reporting to our Policy Director, the Criminal Justice Advocacy & Policy Counsel/Strategist will be responsible for identifying areas of potential reform within the criminal justice system to pursue in order to support the campaign’s goals, drafting legislation and policy guidance to address those changes, and working closely with partners within the advocacy community, public, criminal justice system, and policymakers to achieve those changes.

One major focus of the ACLU of Arizona’s campaign will be reform of the money bail system. For example, roughly 75% of those currently held in the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office facilities are held pretrial, and are therefore presumed to be innocent. Many of these defendants remain in custody solely because they cannot afford to pay bail. Pretrial detention of low-risk and moderate-risk defendants, even for period as short as a few days, is correlated with higher recidivism rates and perpetuates an endless cycle of poverty. The Advocacy and Policy Counsel will also support reform efforts in the areas of sentencing, drug policy, alternatives to incarceration, parole and probation, release opportunities, reentry, and combating racially disparate criminal justice policies.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
We seek applicants with strong familiarity with Arizona’s criminal justice system and with experience working through public policy and legislative processes. People with personal experience being incarcerated or otherwise entangled with the criminal justice system are encouraged to apply.

  • A broad understanding of the Arizona criminal justice system, including but not limited to areas such as pretrial systems, alternatives to incarceration, sentencing, parole and probation, and consequences of system involvement.
  • Critical thinking skills with an ability to identify, collect and interpret relevant data for incorporation into educational materials, with an emphasis on fiscal and social impact of policies.
  • A keen ability to build and maintain key contacts among a diverse range of stakeholders, and an attentiveness to reach out to contacts as appropriate to accomplish project goals.
  • Experience with the public policy and legislative processes.
  • Comfort with deadline-oriented work and an ability to complete tasks and assignments independently, with supervision, and collaboratively.
  • Experience working in coalitions, including sensitivity to internal political dynamics among partner groups.
  • Strong written and oral communications skills, with a high level of comfort presenting information;
  • Ability to synthesize complex information for various audiences, including the public, the media, and policymakers.
  • Commitment to and experience with working in close partnership with community members, including people directly involved with and affected by the criminal justice system.
  • Passion for and demonstrated commitment to criminal justice reform, ending mass incarceration, and racial justice.
  • J.D. degree preferred, but not required.

TO APPLY:
Send a cover letter, CV, list of three professional references and a writing sample (no more than 5 pages, double-spaced, which may include a policy analysis) to: Beth Thomson-Gorman, Office Manager, ACLU of Arizona, Re: Criminal Justice Advocacy & Policy Strategist/Counsel, P.O. Box 17148, Phoenix, AZ 85011 or email to: lizabethtg@acluaz.org. Please list “Criminal Justice Advocacy & Policy Strategist/Counsel” in the subject line. Applications accepted until position is filled. Please indicate in your cover letter where you found this listing.

Download full job description here: az_criminal_justice_policy_counsel-final.