Author Archives: Indian Legal Program

Firm seeks 2L for 2023 Summer Law Clerk

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Maier Pfeffer Kim Geary & Cohen LLP is a well-established law firm in Indian country, with a particular focus on the California region and the more than 100 federally recognized Indian tribes located there. Our partners offer decades of experience representing tribal interests on all matters affecting tribal government and reservation communities. We provide general and special counsel services on a wide range of matters including tribal gaming, governance, employment, administrative, business transactions and economic development, environmental compliance, Indian Housing/NAHASDA, ICWA, tribal TANF, state and federal taxation and land-into-trust acquisitions. In furtherance of tribal sovereignty, we work closely with tribal leaders on strengthening tribal legal systems by updating core governance documents including tribal constitutions, membership and election statutes, and a wide range of other tribal laws and administrative policies and protocols. We have successfully advised tribal governments on establishing new or expanded tribal institutions and businesses as both an exercise of sovereignty and self-determination.

MPKGC is seeking applications from second-year law students for a 2023 Summer Law Clerk for its office in Oakland, California. Applicants must be enrolled in an ABA accredited law school. Experience or coursework in tribal and Federal Indian Law is strongly preferred. Applicants must also possess excellent analytical, research and communication skills, and the ability to work independently and as a team member in a fast-paced and fun environment. MPKGC offers a competitive salary for a 10-week summer position (exact length negotiable).

To apply: interested candidates should e-mail a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and unofficial law school transcript to Ms. Bethany Sullivan at bsullivan@jmandmplaw.com by November 4, 2022.

Tohono O’odham Gaming Office, Legal Counsel

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Under general direction, provides legal advice and representation to the Gaming Office; representing the Gaming Office in all legal proceedings, and in other matters that affect the legal interests of the Nation’s Gaming Office. The major work activities are generally undefined except in terms of achieving overall organization/department goals. Specific policies, procedures and guidelines are virtually nonexistent except for executive directives and accepted professional standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Prepares and reviews contracts, agreements, leases, rights of way and similar documents in order to maintain the best legal interests of the gaming operation.
  • Provides legal advice and services on legal issues.
  • Studies gaming federal legislation, federal regulations, statutes, ordinances and decisions of judicial bodies.
  • Examines legal data and conducts research on assigned legal matters, draft legal memorandums summarizing results and legal conclusions.
  • Maintains professional and technical knowledge by conducting research; reviewing case histories and rulings; attending workshops, conferences and seminars; establishing networks; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
  • Maintains documentation and confidentiality of all privileged information.
  • Performs other job related duties as assigned and contributes to a team effort.

For more information and to apply, go to job posting.

Law Clerk

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Law Clerk position at Miller Pitt Feldman & Mcanally, PLC

Flexible/Negotiable

Job, Externship Analytics

The position we are looking to fill is for a law clerk who has or is looking for litigation experience in a Plaintiff’s General Practice. Areas of practice: torts (catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, medical malpractice, sexual abuse), civil rights, Native American law, white collar criminal defense, water law, and international business.

Many of our clients are Spanish and French speakers, and have Native American legal issues.

Location: Phoenix office but we handle cases throughout the State of Arizona.

Students apply on atlas via this link:

https://law-asu.12twenty.com/job-postings/35006701789290

Job Opening – Entry Level Associate

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Ziontz Chestnut is an 8-attorney law firm in Seattle with over fifty years of experience practicing Indian law for tribal clients nationwide. Our firm’s expertise in Indian law includes: defending treaty fishing, hunting and whaling rights in domestic and international venues; protecting tribal water rights and other culturally and economically important natural resources; conceiving and negotiating complex economic development transactions on behalf of tribes; litigating multi-million dollar Indian claims cases; proposing and lobbying for federal legislation; advancing and achieving tribal interests in multistakeholder regulatory and settlement processes; and defending tribal jurisdiction and reservation boundaries. Our Indian law practice often involves the intersection of federal environmental laws and tribal rights and interests in natural and cultural resources. We are proud of our longstanding history of successfully advancing tribal rights before the U.S. Supreme Court. Additionally, the firm has developed a significant environmental law practice representing conservation organizations.

Ziontz Chestnut seeks an entry-level associate with a strong academic background, excellent research, writing and communication skills, and 0-3 years of experience (including judicial clerkships) to join our practice beginning in fall 2023. Our associates must have the skills, judgment and character to make an immediate contribution to the firm’s work in litigation, transactions and other matters. Candidates who can contribute to advancing the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion are encouraged to apply. Our collegial, team-based approach to legal work provides associates with immediate experience with a wide variety of challenging legal issues. Associates practice alongside experienced attorneys and interact regularly with our diverse clientele. Travel may be required for this Seattle-based position. Salary depends on qualifications. Please send your cover letter, resume, law school transcript and one writing sample representing your own written work as a single PDF file by September 30, 2022, to Hiring Attorney at applicant@ziontzchestnut.com or 2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1230, Seattle, WA, 98121. For more information, please visit our website at www.ziontzchestnut.com.

White Mountain Apache Tribe seeks Assistant Attorney General

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EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:
• Prefer a minimum of three (3) to five (5) years experience working with Indian tribes and/or entities, with transactional experience preferred.

• Ability to competently handle wide range of litigation matters.

• Federal Indian Law and federal practice experience preferred.

• Prior legal experience in areas of Indian housing, Tribal code development, land-into-trust, corporate and commercial transactions, environmental issues, ICWA, employment law, Indian gaming, contracts, taxation, jurisdictional issues, environmental and natural resource law experience, and economic development in Indian Country.

• Skill interpreting case law, codes, ordinances and administrative rules.

• Ability to manage law office staff, excellent writing, verbal and interpersonal skills, and be committed to concept of Tribal sovereignty and Indian self-determination.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

1. Provides nonpartisan legal advice and representation as needed to the Tribe, its officials, departments, agencies, offices, enterprises, and the Tribal Council and its committees.

2. Civil Matters:

a. The Attorney General is responsible for defending any civil suit in which the Tribe is named as a defendant in Tribal, federal, or state court. This can include a general allegation against the Tribe as a whole or an allegation against one of its entities, commonly including the Police Department or other departments, or Tribal enterprises. The Attorney General’s Office also may commence civil actions against individuals, corporations, or state agencies.

b. Conduct legal research and prepare matters for depositions, hearings, and trial.

3. Criminal Matters:

a. Provides legal representation of the Tribe when the Tribal Prosecutor is conflicted in a criminal matter.

b. Conduct legal research and prepare matters for depositions, hearings, and trial.

4. Contracts and Grants:

a. Drafts, negotiates, and approves as to form all contracts proposed to be entered into by or on behalf of the Tribe prior to execution thereof with third-parties for which an ongoing relationship is anticipated.

b. Reviews grants, contract applications, documents and presents interpretations on legal content prior to signing and submission of documents.

c. Assists Tribal employees in regard to legal aspects of Tribal contracts, regulations and programs.

5. Resolutions and Tribal Codes:

a. Drafts and reviews code revisions, ordinances, policies, procedures, agreements, and contracts (etc.,) on behalf of Tribal Government, Administration, and Programs.

b. Assists in preparing proposed resolutions of the Council, reviews all resolutions proposed to be submitted to the Tribal Council, provides advice and recommendations thereon, and provides legal advice and opinions to the Tribal Council and its committees to assist them in conducting their business.

6. Legal Advice and Legal Opinions:

a. Gives advice on legal decisions, agency regulations, statutes and treaties that affect Tribal activities.

b. Prepares legal memoranda and opinions.

c. Prepares correspondence, reports, documents, etc., pertaining to Tribal legal matters.

7. Continuing Legal Education:

a. Required to attend job-related, in-service meetings and training to maintain professional and technical knowledge.

8. Adhere to Tribal law and other applicable laws, as well as Tribal personnel policies and procedures.

9. Attend Tribal Council meetings to support, defend, and advance the Tribe’s legal interests.

10. The above duties and responsibilities are not an all in-inclusive list, but rather a general representation of the duties and responsibilities associated with this position. The duties and responsibilities will be subject to change based on organizational needs and/or as deemed necessary by the Attorney General.

See more information at: http://whitemountainapache.org/resources/

Native American Affairs Legislative Assistant

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Democratic Senator seeks Legislative Assistant to handle Native American affairs portfolio. Individual must be knowledgeable of current legislative and non-legislative issues and have a thorough understanding of the legislative process and the Senate’s organization and procedures. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, advising and staffing the Senator, analyzing legislative developments, recommending strategies on bills and amendments, and working closely with state staff and a robust press operation. This position requires outstanding oral communication and writing skills, as well as the ability to conduct strong research and analysis. A successful candidate will possess excellent academic credentials and will have the ability to produce quality work under pressure in an extremely fast-paced environment. This office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

To Apply: Interested applicants should email cover letter and resume to legjobs@email.senate.gov, ATTN: Native American Affairs LA in the subject line.

Native American Rights Fund seek Summer 2023 Law Clerk

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The NARF summer clerkship program is a ten- to twelve-week program for students who have completed their second year of law school. Clerks are expected to work at least 40 hours per week during this period and are compensated with salaries comparable to those of the federal government and other non-profit firms. Although public interest funding programs help provide these salaries, clerks are also encouraged to seek additional financial support through their law school’s public interest programs or through other public interest scholarships.

http://www.narf.org/clerks/
Please direct all questions to Kevin Cheng at kcheng@narf.org

 

Native Vote: Preparing for 2022

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Last month, the White House issued the “Report of the Interagency Steering Group on Native American Voting Rights” after hosting a series of regional consultations with tribal leaders and members and engaging in listening sessions with organizations advocating for improved tribal voting rights. ASU Law’s Indian Legal Clinic participated in the White House consultations as part of the clinic’s Arizona Native Vote Election Protection Project. The White House report explores the problems that Native American voters face and presents best practices and recommendations to mitigate and eliminate barriers that Native American voters encounter. The report featured the clinic’s polling locator tool created by Native Vote Fellow Torey Dolan (’19). 

In response to a special action petition filed in the Arizona Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of early voting in Arizona, Patty Ferguson-Bohnee and Judy Dworkin (JD ’86) represented the Inter Tribal Association of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA) in an amicus brief in the case. The amicus explained the history of Native American disenfranchisement in Arizona, that early voting is constitutional, that all early voting options are needed to address the unique barriers experienced by Native American voters, and that eliminating drop boxes and in-person early voting may expose Arizona to federal litigation. Native Vote Fellows Dolan and Blair Tarman-Toner (’20) assisted in drafting the brief.

The ITCA hosts monthly “Native Vote Strategy Sessions” to assist tribal governments in planning for upcoming elections. Native Vote Fellows Dolan and Tarman-Toner provided a legislative update at the “March Strategy Session.” Dolan and Tarman-Toner are continuing to track bills in the Arizona State Legislature that impact voting in tribal communities. 

We appreciate our valuable Native Vote partners and the ongoing efforts that impact our voting power.

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Blair Tarman-Toner (’21)
Native Vote Fellow, Indian Legal Program, ASU Law