Job Opportunity: Senior Assistant General Counsel

Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
OPEN DATE: June 26, 2018
CLOSE DATE: July 31, 2018

DEFINITION/PURPOSE:
Serves under the general oversight of the General Counsel and acts in the General Counsel’s absence with the authority of the General Counsel in fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of the Office of General Counsel. Provides legal advice to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council, tribal departments and economic enterprises. Represents the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in matters brought in Tribal, State and Federal court.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION:
1) An attorney in good standing licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona; 2) Six (6) years legal experience working for a federally recognized Indian tribe or in the area of Federal Indian Law and Tribal Law; and 3) Current valid Arizona driver’s license and meet FMYN insurance standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.

TASKS:
Serves as a senior legal advisor to the Tribal Council, tribal government departments and economic enterprises; Performs high level legal research and analysis in numerous areas of law and policy related to Federal Indian and Indian Law; Provides legal advice and analysis of tribal, State and Federal laws and regulations; Drafts and revises the Tribal Constitution, Law and Order Code, other tribal laws, ordinances, and policies; Works at hours and times outside of normal business hours and days; Drafts, reviews and recommends changes to various contracts; Reviews other agreements, proposals; Represents the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in Tribal, State and Federal court actions; Delegated authority to oversee the Office of General Counsel during the General Counsel’s absence; and Performs other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

POSITION STATUS: Regular-Full-Time
PAYRATE: $93,142.09 to $130,398.93

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO:
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
Human Resources Department
Attn: Recruiter
P. O. Box 17779
Fountain Hills, AZ 85269
Phone: 480-789-7118
Fax: 480-816-0419
Email: recruiter@ftmcdowell.org

To download full job description, click here.

ASU Now: ASU Law student helps hometown devastated by Hurricane Harvey

“I’ve always told people I enjoy corporate law and tribal/federal Indian law because there’s so much potential for creativity. Here is no different,” she continued. “When you can’t accept the word ‘no’ because your client’s lives and well-being are depending on ‘yes,’ then you find alternate routes to arrive at that ‘yes.’ However long it takes.” Rising 3L Ana Laurel talks about her work with Rural Summer Legal Corps and her journey to ASU Law. Read full ASU Now story.

2018 Tribal Court Trial Skills

In June, 22 tribal court practitioners from Arizona, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming successfully completed the Indian Legal Clinic’s eighth bi-annual Tribal Court Trial Skills College, held at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. Students said the training was remarkable, challenging, and intensive and that it was a great opportunity to meet practitioners from other parts of the country. The four-day program provides practitioners with training on the skills necessary to try civil and criminal cases in tribal court. Faculty for the Tribal Court Trial Skills College were exceptionally qualified and experienced tribal court lawyers from throughout Arizona. Students received individual feedback and evaluations on their skills from sitting tribal court judges from throughout Arizona and California.

During the Trial Skills College, students received training in interviewing witnesses, pretrial motion strategy, trial strategy, jury selection, opening statements, how to take testimony, how to introduce evidence and to effectively make objections, and closing arguments. Training was followed by skill-directed practice in mock trial simulations. Students also learned about the history of federal Indian law and policy, ethical considerations of trial practice, tribal courtroom etiquette, and how to put together an effective trial notebook.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our faculty, tribal court judges, and alumni as well as everyone else who volunteered to role-play jurors and witnesses for our trial simulations.

Job Opportunity: Tribal Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault Specialist

Legal Aid Services of Oregon

Job Description
Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) seeks a full-time, temporary Tribal Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault (DV / SA) Program Specialist for its Native American Program (NAPOLS). This is a grant-funded position of limited duration, currently funded through 12/31/2019.

Background
LASO is a non-profit organization that represents low-income clients in civil cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs provide services to farmworkers and representation on Native American issues. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program committed to advocacy strategies that will have a demonstrable effect on community problems.

NAPOLS assists income-eligible Indian tribes, Native organizations, and individual tribal members, including with cases related to tribal sovereignty and self-governance, estate planning and trust resources, access to benefits, expungement of criminal records, and tribal court cases. NAPOLS also offers community education on a wide range of legal issues.

Responsibilities
The Tribal DV / SA Program Specialist will work with the Burns Paiute Tribe to strengthen the Tribe’s response to DV, SA, dating violence, and stalking. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Working with Tribal staff to develop Tribal laws, policies, and court forms to enhance prevention, investigation, and prosecution of violent crimes against women and the treatment of victims;
  • Training Tribal personnel and other law enforcement officials to more effectively respond to DV / SA crimes, hold offenders accountable, ensure victim safety, and address jurisdictional issues;
  • Developing a lay advocate training program and legal referral network to enhance victims’ access to advocacy services;
  • Compiling data and developing narratives for grant reports; and
  • Other tasks, as needed.

The Tribal DV / SA Program Specialist will be based in Portland, with frequent overnight travel to Harney County. Applicants based in Harney County will also be considered. Completion of a 40-hour training program on DV, SA, stalking, and/or dating violence will also be required.

Qualifications
Experience drafting tribal laws and policies or a strong background in DV / SA issues is required. Experience working in Indian Country or with law enforcement and prosecutors is a plus. J.D. and Oregon State Bar membership preferred but not required.

Salary/Benefits
Salary is based on experience, within a statewide salary scale. Full benefits package including health insurance and 401(k) plan.

Legal Aid Service of Oregon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Tribal members and minority applicants are encouraged to apply

Application Email: napolsjobs@lasoregon.org
Resume (Required)
Cover Letter (Required)
Transcript (Optional)
Writing Sample (Required)
References (Required)
Other (Optional)

Job Opportunity: Staff Attorney

Native American Program (NAPOLS)
Legal Aid Services

Portland, Oregon

Job Description
Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) seeks a Staff Attorney for its Native American Program (NAPOLS), which is located in Portland.

Background
LASO is a non-profit organization that represents low-income clients in civil cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs provide services to farmworkers and representation on Native American issues. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program committed to advocacy strategies that will have a demonstrable effect on community problems.

NAPOLS assists income-eligible Indian tribes, Native organizations, and individual tribal members, including with cases related to tribal sovereignty and self-governance, estate planning and trust resources, access to benefits, expungement of criminal records, and tribal court cases. NAPOLS also offers community education on a wide range of legal issues.

Responsibilities
The staff attorney will be responsible for maintaining a varied caseload and for providing legal services to Indian tribes, Native organizations, and individual tribal members.

Qualifications
Position requires current Oregon State Bar membership, proven interest in and commitment to working in Indian Country, and knowledge of federal, tribal, and state laws impacting tribes and tribal members. Regular travel throughout Oregon, including some overnight travel, is required.

Salary/Benefits
Salary is based on experience, within a statewide salary scale. Full benefits package including health insurance and 401(k) plan.

Legal Aid Service of Oregon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Tribal members and minority applicants are encouraged to apply.

 

Internship Opportunity – Tohono O’odham Nation AG Summer Intern

Tohono O’odham Nation
Office of Attorney General
Sells, AZ

Paid Internship
Closing date: June 11, 2018

The Office of Attorney General (OAG) is hiring two (2) Interns, for an exciting eight (8) week Summer Internship that starts on June 18, 2018 and continues through August 10, 2018.

Qualifications: The Office of Attorney General invites college students in good standing, who are enrolled in institutions of higher learning to apply for the summer-long internship. Minimum requirements include a valid Arizona driver’s license. The internship program is open to applicants who are members of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Preference will be given to enrolled members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, followed by enrolled members of the nation’s or tribes.

To download pdf of full job description and application information, click the following link: Tohon Oodham Nation AG Summer Intern Program.

Job Opportunity – Assistant Prosecutor

San Carlos Apache Tribe
San Carlos, Arizona

Position Title: Assistant Prosecutor
Closing date: June 7, 2018

As an Assistant Prosecutor under the direction of the Chief Prosecutor, the Assistant Prosecutor shall prosecute criminal actions on the behalf of the San Carlos Apache Tribe in regards to child dependency and crimes against children. The Assistant Prosecutor has prosecute civil petitions in the Juvenile Court and render technical assistance to the police department and other related agencies. Shall perform legal research, prepare or assist in drafting and filing motions, memorandums of law, petitions and other legal documents. Shall recognize sensitive and complex issues, develop, and formulate case theory. The Assistant Prosecutor is responsible for handling cases arising out of allegations of child abuse and neglect. The Assistant Prosecutor will also be required to assess the backlog of cases on the juvenile court docket and develop and implement permanency planning for children involved in the juvenile court system. Shall work closely with Tribal Social Services and law enforcement agencies. Shall conduct research on drug exposed infants and children, and develop new strategies for dealing with these types of cases, including but not limited to assessing and researching current codes and making recommendations for changes as needed. Assist with data collection, report preparation, and community education activities. Shall perform other duties as assigned.

To download full job announcement, click here.