ASU Navajo Nation Law CLE: Call for Presentations

The Indian Legal Program at ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law is proud to host the 2019 Navajo Nation Law CLE Conference on Friday, October 25, 2019.

The Navajo Nation Law CLE Conference will offer a one day survey of Navajo law and ethics. This conference is ideal training for attorneys practicing on and near the Navajo Nation, tribal court advocates, tribal court practitioners, tribal court prosecutors, tribal court defenders, tribal council members, Indian law attorneys, tribal liaisons, government legislators, Navajo Nation Bar members, law students, as well as teachers/professors and students of American Indian studies.

The Conference Planning Committee welcomes proposals for 30-minute, 60-minute or 90-minute conference presentations or panel discussions. To submit a presentation proposal, please send the following information by June 17, 2019:

  • Presenter(s) name, title, contact information, bio
  • Title of the proposed presentation
  • A brief (one paragraph) description of the presentation, how the presentation relates to Navajo Law, and a description of the presentation format (example: lecture with Q&A, panel discussion, etc.)
  • A brief description of what will be or could be distributed to attendees as materials
  • A two-sentence summary of the presentation for the conference program, if accepted
  • Length of presentation
  • Would this session qualify for Navajo Ethics?

Participants will be notified of their selection by July 22, 2019.

Please submit your abstract here: ilp@asu.edu Subject: Navajo Law CLE Proposal

Job Opportunity – General Counsel

Position Summary:
With the Tribe and its Constitutional government as the client, the General Counsel works under the primary supervision and direction of the Tribal Board. The General Counsel also provides legal services to the Tribal government’s Executive Director for operational direction consistent with the laws, budgets and policy directives enacted by the Tribal Council. The position entails performing a broad range of legal work for all departments and divisions of the Tribal government, as well as, appearing in Courts of the Tribal Court, Michigan State Courts and federal courts on behalf of the Tribe as authorized and directed.

Job Complexity:
Provide timely legal advice/counsel to, and draft legal opinions for, the Tribal Board, its subdivisions, instrumentalities, departments and various business entities on a broad range of legal issues.

  • Prepare legal memoranda and conducts legal research as requested.
  • Prepare drafts of resolutions, Tribal laws, regulations, and policies for Tribal Board’s approval.
  • Works with Department Leaders to create policies/procedures to guide implementation of government functions and operations to assure compliance with applicable laws and conditions of grants, contracts and other agreements.
  • Serves as the Director of the Tribe’s Legal Department, allocates work for the efficient operation of the Department and supervises the work of subordinate attorneys and legal support staff.
  • Supervision of work performed by the Tribe’s outside/contract attorneys, and participation in such work, to help achieve successful completion of assigned work within budgetary constraints.
  • Oversees the implementation of regulations and compliance by all Tribal departments with federal and state regulations for various functions of the government.
  • Establish and maintain necessary professional relationships with Team Members, Tribal Members, Tribal Management and other Tribal Government Employers.
  • Manage the delivery of legal services to all areas of the Tribal government, Enterprises, and Kewadin Casino’s to ensure services and functions are performed in a timely manner by appropriate personnel consistent with Tribal business needs.
  • Prepares and manages the budget for the Legal Department of the Tribe.
  • Represents the Tribe in negotiation and implementation of inter-governmental agreements with the United States, State of Michigan, local governments and their respective agencies and instrumentalities.
  • At the request of the Tribal Board, attends public meetings of Tribal members to present and explain proposed or adopted actions of the Tribal Boardl and other instrumentalities of the Tribal government.
  • Attend various community and programmatic events and meetings as needed to share information and support team’s work.
  • Attend Tribal Board meetings, workgroups and prep sessions as requested to provide legal advice and support.
  • Responsible for monitoring federal and state legislature affecting the Tribe.
  • All other duties as assigned consistent with ethical limitations applicable to licensed attorneys.

For full job description, click here.

Apply online: www.saulttribe.com

Job Opportunity – Chief Legislative Counsel

The Navajo Nation
Office of Legislative Counsel/ Window Rock, AZ

Closing Date:6/10/2019 5:00 p.m.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under administrative direction of the Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, performs work of unusual difficulty in serving as chief legal counsel to the Navajo Nation Council and the Navajo Nation Legislative Branch; directs all legal and administrative affairs of the Office of Legislative Counsel; provides comprehensive legal guidance and advice to the Navajo Nation Council, standing committees, boards, commissions, and the Legislative Branch; coordinates legal advice and opinions with the Department of Justice and other attorneys providing legal services to the Nation; provides advice and counsel, including interpretation of tribal, state and federal laws and regulations; performs complex legal research and analysis of laws, legal precedents and policies; provides legislative branch representation in mediation and administrative hearings; provides training and orientation in specific laws and their application. Drafts, reviews and prepares proposed legislation, reports, legal documents and correspondence for the Navajo Nation Council and entities of the Legislative Branch; codifies Navajo Nation laws, rules and regulations; develops an annual work plan and budget for the Office of Legislative Counsel; attends meetings, training and seminars in support of continuing legal education requirements; prepares and submits activity reports to the Office of the Speaker.

Qualification Requirements: (Education, Experience, and Training)

  • A Juris Doctorate; and twelve (12) years professional experience in practice of law which must include two (2) years working directly with or for a legislative body, four (4) years working with a tribal government, two (2) years working for the Navajo Nation government as an attorney or four (4) years providing legal representation to entities or individuals subject to the laws of the Navajo Nation; and four (4) years working in a supervisory capacity of which two (2) years must include supervising senior-level attorneys.
  • State licensed and current admission to the Navajo Nation Bar Association.

Special Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of: federal, state and Navajo Nation laws and regulations relating to administrative and regulatory functions; Navajo Nation, state and federal statutory laws and regulations affecting tribal governments and Navajo members; Fundamental Law; the procedures and rules required for administrative, legislative and judicial hearings; the methods and techniques of legal research and analysis, lobbying and presenting cases in court. Skill in: analyzing and organizing facts, evidence and precedents; developing an appropriate argument or defense and presenting supportive materials; verbal and written communication. Ability to: establish and maintain effective working relations with Navajo Nation Council delegates, executive staff, court officials, governmental officials, political figures and the general public; exercise initiative and good judgment in creating, interpreting and applying law, policies, regulations, procedures and administrative methods; objectively and analytically devise practical solutions quickly and effectively.

Knowledge of: federal, state and Navajo Nation laws and regulations relating to administrative and regulatory functions; Navajo Nation, state and federal statutory laws and regulations affecting tribal governments and Navajo members; Fundamental Law; the procedures and rules required for administrative, legislative and judicial hearings; the methods and techniques of legal research and analysis, lobbying and presenting cases in court. Skill in: analyzing and organizing facts, evidence and precedents; developing an appropriate argument or defense and presenting supportive materials; verbal and written communication. Ability to: establish and maintain effective working relations with Navajo Nation Council delegates, executive staff, court officials, governmental officials, political figures and the general public; exercise initiative and good judgment in creating, interpreting and applying law, policies, regulations, procedures and administrative methods; objectively and analytically devise practical solutions quickly and effectively.

For full job description, click here.

Where are they now? Steve Titla (’83)

Steve Titla (’83, San Carlos Apache) is a founding partner of Titla & Parsi Law Firm.

Titla originally chose ASU Law to be near his family and home on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. He also earned his bachelor’s degree at ASU in 1980 after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and Arizona National Guard.

Since graduating 36 years ago, Titla has had a “very interesting journey.” After passing the bar exam on his first try, he immediately began working as an attorney. Titla was an attorney with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice. He has worked in litigation, legislation and negotiations, including negotiations for all the tribe’s gaming compacts, for his people, the San Carlos Apache Tribe. He has served on various boards and commissions.  He was the president of the National Native American Bar Association, served as the Chairperson of Arizona’s Clean Elections Commission, and was appointed to the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act Review Committee during the Obama Administration. 

Now, he’s involved in the current gaming negotiations within the state, as well as serving as special counsel on water amidst water negotiations and litigation.

He also works on his ranch on the reservation.

“It is good to be off the grid in the mountains cowboying!” Titla said.

Q: What is the most valuable lesson you learned in the classroom that has helped you in your career?

A: The most valuable lesson I learned is that preparation is the key. This works in all areas of school, negotiations or litigation.

Q: Is there anything you’ve learned after graduation that you wish you learned in class?

A: I wish there were more hands-on classes in litigation matters in law school.

Job Opportunity – Associate Justice

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Scottsdale, AZ

Closing: 5/17/19 11:59 PM

Definition:
Participates and as required, may preside over criminal, civil and juvenile appeal hearings as part of the SRPMIC Appellate Court. Responsible for the fair and impartial administration of justice pursuant to the judicial powers granted by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) and in ensuring SRPMIC adherence to applicable Federal, Tribal and other relevant laws and ordinances. The Associate Justice is appointed by the Council. 

Examples for Tasks:

1. The Associate Justice will sit on an appeals panel to hear cases brought before the Appellate Court. Facilitates and ensures all applicable rules of evidence and other judicial requirements are followed by all parties involved in the tribal court’s decision.

2. As required, monitors timelines for filings of briefs, motions and/or other steps and processes within the Appellate process. Schedules briefings and determines compliance to timelines and time frames of all court procedures.3. Grants or denies requests for extensions, issues an Opinion, Memorandum or Order within established timeframes.

4. Reviews processes, procedures, rulings and other activities including verdicts/final judgments from the trial court along with requests for non-final orders or judgments. Reviews record on appeal as prepared by trial court clerk.5. Reviews briefs, memoranda and other submitted documents to evaluate and determine if applicable rules of evidence and other judicial requirements were followed by all parties involved in the tribal court’s decision.

6. May issue ancillary orders and approve/disapprove Amicus Curiae briefs requested to be filed.7. Performs other job related duties as assigned to maintain and enhance Community Appellate Court operations.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience: The applicant shall meet all the qualifications as set for in Chapter 4, Article 2, 4-32 (2) (a), (b), (d), (e), (h), (i) and (k), as well as Section 4-88(2) of the SRPMIC Code of Ordinances as amended.  Such qualifications include:

1. Must be thirty (30) years of age or older;

2. Possessing a two (2) year degree (Associate of Arts, certificate, etc.) or higher preferably in a law related field (e.g., law degree, criminal justice, administration of justice, police science, paralegal) OR having at least three (3) years consecutive bench experience within the past five (5) years of appointment to the bench;3. Must have at least five (5) years of judicial or law-related experience;

4. Preference will be given to candidates who are members of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the Gila River Indian Community, the Ak-Chin Indian Community or the Tohono O’odham Nation, or other federal recognized tribe.

5. Preference will also be given to candidate with prior tribal court judicial experience.6. Having never been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction, and having not been convicted of a misdemeanor within five (5) years of the date of the judicial application filed with the SRPMIC Council.  A misdemeanor shall be conviction of the type of behavior proscribed in Chapters 6 and 10 and 16-231 through 16-236 of Chapter 16 (Dealing with DWI and Reckless Driving) of the SRPMIC’s Code of Ordinances, whether committed on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community or in another jurisdiction;

7. Be of good moral character, and in determining character, the SRPMIC Council shall consider, among other things, the laws, customs and traditions of the SRPMIC;8. Familiar with the customs and traditions of the Akimel O’odham and Xalychidom Piipaash people and how those customs and traditions can be applied to the matters pending before the Community Court;

9. Serving a one (1) year probationary period;10. Having never been removed for good cause from a judge position in any jurisdiction;

11. Being subject to the SRPMIC Court Rules of Professional Conduct, Section 2 Judicial Rules of Professional conduct and as these rules may be amended. 

“SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer” Preference will be given to a qualified Community Member, then a qualified Native American and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain consideration for Community member/Native American preference, applicant must submit a copy of Tribal Enrollment card or CIB which indicates enrollment in a Federally Recognized Native American Tribe by one of the following methods:1) attach to application2)  fax (480) 362-58603) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Applications may be filed online at: http://www.srpmic-nsn.gov/employment

To download full job description, click here.

Applications Being Accepted for Arizona Court of Appeals-Division I Vacancy

AApplications are being accepted for a vacancy on Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals created by the appointment of Judge James P. Beene to the Arizona Supreme Court.

The Commission on Appellate Court Appointments will review applications, interview selected applicants, and recommend at least three nominees for the vacancy to Governor Doug Ducey, who will appoint the new judge.

The most current judicial application form (revised January 2017) can be downloaded at the Judicial Department website: www.azcourts.gov/jnc. Applications may also be obtained from the Administrative Office of the Courts, Human Resources Department, 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, by calling (602) 452-3311, or by sending an electronic mail request to jnc@courts.az.gov.

Applicants must be of good moral character and admitted to the practice of law in, and a resident of the state of Arizona for the past five years, and a resident of Maricopa County for the past three years.

A signed original application with all attachments, and a searchable .pdf version of the application and attachments must be submitted to the Administrative Office of the Courts, Human Resources Department, 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ, 85007, by 3:00 p.m. on May 31, 2019. 

Eligible applicants who wish to be considered for this vacancy and the vacancy on the Arizona Supreme Court DO NOT need to submit two separate applications.

The Commission may, at its discretion, use the applications filed for this vacancy to nominate candidates for any additional vacancies known to the Commission before the screening meeting for this vacancy is held. 

All meetings of the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments are open to the public. Meeting dates will be announced. 

The new judge will be paid $154,533.75 annually.