“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.
Author Archives: Indian Legal Program
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.
- Application Email: napolsjobs@lasoregon.org
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.
Pipeline to Law Workshop at Arizona State University – August 1-5
This summer the Native American Pipeline to Law team will host a 5-day session to help students better understand the law school admissions process at University of Washington School of Law in Seattle, Washington. Housing provided and a limited number of LSAT Prep courses will be available for participating students. Space is limited, register soon!
To submit your application, click here.
August 1-5, 2018
Application deadline: July 18, 2018
Download PDF Pipeline To Law Workshops – ASU 2018
#pipelinetolaw
#prelawworkshops
Job Opportunity: Indigenous Justice Organizer
The American Civil Liberties Union of Montana (ACLU-MT) is looking for a motivated person with relationship building skills to join our team as an Indigenous Justice Organizer. The ACLU-MT works on a variety of issues that impact Indigenous people – from voting rights, to education, to reforming unjust criminal laws. Over the past two years, we have worked to build Indigenous Justice into every aspect of our organization through building relationships with Indigenous leaders and community members and prioritizing issues identified by Indigenous communities. We are now ready to expand the program by hiring an additional staff member committed to Indigenous Justice.
This position is guaranteed for two years (summer 2018 through summer 2020), and we will seek additional funding to continue the position past 2020. The Indigenous Justice Organizer will work in the Advocacy and Policy Department with the Director of Advocacy and Policy (Missoula), the Indigenous Justice Program Manager (Missoula/Hi-Line), and the Policy Assistant (Helena). The position will also work in collaboration with other staff and ACLU-MT volunteers. This position will ideally be based in Billings or on the Crow or Northern Cheyenne reservations, though we are open to a discussion depending on the best candidate. Frequent travel statewide will be required.
For full job description, click the following link: https://www.aclumontana.org/en/jobs/indigenous-justice-organizer
Indian Legal Program Partners with National Congress of American Indians to Produce Educational Podcast Press Release
Phoenix, Ariz. – May 17, 2018 – The Indian Legal Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is pleased to announce its new partnership with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) to produce a monthly podcast. ASU Law alum and Senior Counsel at NCAI Derrick Beetso, will work with the Indian Legal Program (ILP) team to produce a free and educational podcast on federal Indian law and policy. Titled “The Talking Stick: A Native American Law & Policy Podcast presented by NCAI,” the first podcast is scheduled to launch next month.
For full press release, click the following link: Press Release NCAI-ILP Partnership.
Job Opportunities: Applications Being Accepted for Two Vacancies on the Maricopa County Superior Court
Applications are being accepted for two vacancies on the Superior Court in Maricopa County created by the retirement of Judges Aimee L. Anderson and Peter C. Reinstein.
The Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments will review applications, interview selected applicants, and recommend at least three nominees for each vacancy to Governor Doug Ducey, who will appoint the new judges.
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 at least 30 years of age, of good moral character, admitted to the practice of law in, and a resident of Arizona for the past five years, and a resident of Maricopa County for the past year.
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, 2018.
Applicants for the recent vacancy in Maricopa County DO NOT need to reapply to be considered for the new vacancies.
The Commission may, at its discretion, use the applications filed for these vacancies to nominate candidates for any additional vacancies known to the Commission before the screening meeting for these vacancies is held.
All meetings of the Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments are open to the public. Meeting dates will be announced.
The new judges will be paid $149,382.60 annually.