Author Archives: Indian Legal Program

Job Opportunity – JUDICIAL VACANCIES

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ANNOUNCEMENT of JUDICIAL VACANCIES

ANNOUNCING:

Applications are being accepted for three vacancies on the Superior Court in Maricopa County created by the addition of Divisions 96, 97 and 98 effective October 1, 2014.

An original completed application, 5 double-sided copies, and one (1) single-sided copy must be received by the Human Resources Department, Administrative Office of the Courts, 1501 West Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ, 85007, no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2014.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

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, a resident of Maricopa County for the past year, and under age 65 at the time the nomination is submitted to the Governor.

APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:

Human Resources Department – OR – by calling (602) 452-3311

Administrative Office of the Courts

1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, – OR – by sending an E-mail request to:

Phoenix jnc@courts.az.gov

– OR – at the Judicial Department website: www.azcourts.gov/jnc

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THESE VACANCIES:

Applicants for the recent vacancy in Maricopa County DO NOT need to reapply to be considered for the new vacancies.

All written comments about applicants should be directed to the Maricopa County Commission on Trial

Court Appointments, c/o Blanca Moreno, Administrative Office of the Courts, 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ, 85007. All comments received at that address will be distributed to all commission members. Applicants are asked to limit solicited reference letters to a maximum of 12, from a diverse group of people who are well-acquainted with the applicant. All letters timely submitted will be forwarded to all commissioners.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

To comment on issues relevant to the vacant judgeship or on a particular applicant, submit a written statement to the Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments, Attn: Blanca Moreno, 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ, 85007. An opportunity for public comment will also be scheduled at both Commission meetings about these vacancies.

SELECTION PROCESS:

The Arizona Constitution requires the Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments to submit at least three nominees to the Governor within 60 days of the effective date of each vacancy. The Governor has 60 days in which to make a selection from the nominees submitted by the Commission. To obtain the procedures of the Commissions on Appellate and Trial Court Appointments or a list of Commission members call (602) 452-3311 or visit the website: www.azcourts.gov/jnc.

At its first meeting, the Commission reviews the applications and determines which applicants will be interviewed. That meeting and the subsequent interviews are open to the public, and voting on the nominations is conducted in a public session. News releases announcing the meetings will be issued at least one week prior to each meeting.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The annual salary of a Superior Court judge is $145,000. Superior Court judges are eligible to enroll in State and/or County benefit plans.

JUDICIAL RETENTION:

Each judge is subject to an unopposed, nonpartisan retention election at the first general election held at least two years after he or she takes office. To be retained, a judge must receive a majority of affirmative votes cast. Following the first retention election, Superior Court judges stand for retention election every four years.

JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW:

The Arizona Constitution requires that justices and judges undergo a performance review before each retention election, the results of which are disseminated to voters before the election. The Supreme Court adopts the rules that govern judicial performance review, a copy of which can be obtained by calling (602) 452-3311. The standards adopted by the Supreme Court and the Commission on Judicial Performance

Review for evaluating justices and judges are:

“The judge shall administer justice fairly, ethically, uniformly, promptly and efficiently. The judge shall be free from personal bias in decision making, shall decide cases based on proper application of law and procedure to the facts, and shall issue prompt, clear rulings and decisions that demonstrate competent legal analysis. The judge shall act with dignity, courtesy and patience. The judge shall effectively manage the courtroom and discharge the administrative responsibilities of the office.”

The ILP welcomes back Kate Rosier!

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Welcome Back Kate!

Kathlene “Kate” Rosier is returning as the executive director of the Indian Legal Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

Rosier, who left the College of Law in 2011 to become the assistant general counsel for the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, served as the Indian Legal Program’s director for 11 years.

“I feel like I’m being reunited with family,” Rosier said about her return. “I love and missed the daily interaction with students, so I was excited to have the opportunity to come back.”

Rosier replaces Ann Marie Downes, who recently was appointed by the White House to serve in the assistant secretary’s office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Rosier will start on October 13.

 

 

http://www.law.asu.edu/News/CollegeofLawNews/TabId/803/ArtMID/7835/ArticleID/4733

http://www.law.asu.edu/News/CollegeofLawNews/TabId/803/ArtMID/7835/ArticleID/4733

ACLU Fellowship Opportunity

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FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
MARVIN M. KARPATKIN FELLOWSHIP [LGLF-06]
NOTICE TO THIRD-YEAR LAW STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation

Racial Justice Program, NY

For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has been our nation’s guardian of liberty, working in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country. Whether it’s achieving full equality for the LGBT community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, ending mass incarceration, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach. With more than a million members, activists, and supporters, the ACLU is a nationwide organization that fights tirelessly in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., for the principle that every individual’s rights must be protected equally under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or national origin.

The Racial Justice Program (RJP) of the ACLU National office in New York City invites applications for the Marvin M. Karpatkin Fellowship, which will begin in September 2015.

 OVERVIEW

The Fellowship was established by the ACLU Board of Directors in memory of Marvin M. Karpatkin, the late General Counsel of the American Civil Liberties Union, who died in January 1975, at the age of 48.  Mr. Karpatkin was one of the ACLU’s most active attorneys during the 1960s and early 1970s.  He left his special mark in the areas of selective service and military law.  His interest in those areas grew out of his own strong opposition to the Vietnam War and his desire to help those who, younger than himself, were faced with performing military service in a war they would not support.

Racial Justice Program (RJP) attorneys and staff work to challenge racial discrimination and related issues that have a disparate impact on communities of color, particularly in the areas of criminal justice and education and seeks to provide full access to participation in the economic system regardless of race or ethnicity.  In the area of criminal justice, we are dedicated to reducing the unwarranted and disproportionate targeting and incarceration of people of color.  In the area of education, we seek to ensure that all children have access to quality education, regardless of race or ethnicity. Specifically, we have filed civil challenges to the inadequate provision of indigent criminal and juvenile defense, racial profiling, and disparate educational opportunities.  We have also campaigned against the racially-disproportionate imposition of incarceration and school discipline and are working to counteract the negative effects of discrimination in mortgage lending on communities of color.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Karpatkin Fellow functions as part of the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program’s litigation team. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Provide legal research and analysis and develop theories to support new litigation projects.
  • Draft pleadings, affidavits, motions, and briefs.
  • Interview witnesses and potential plaintiffs.
  • Participate in discovery and trial practice.
  • Provide support and assistance to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys.
  • Engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences as needed.
  • Supervise student interns.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

  • J.D. degree or J. D. expected by the Spring of 2015.
  • A demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding.
  • Excellent research, writing and verbal communication skills.
  • Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team.
  • Excellent computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Demonstrated commitment to public interest law.
  • Commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU.

COMPENSATION

The ACLU offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within parameters of the ACLU compensation scale.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, two letters of recommendation and at least one legal writing sample by email to hrjobs@aclu.org – reference [LGLF-06/NABA] in the subject line.   Please indicate in your cover letter where you learned of this opportunity.

The application deadline is October 15, 2014. 

This posting provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required.  It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the posting at any time without advance notice.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status.   

The ACLU undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions.

We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to contact: hrjobsinclreq@aclu.org. Correspondence sent to this email address that is not related to requests for accommodations will not be reviewed. Applicants should follow the instructions above regarding how to apply.

The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU.”

 

Navajo Nation Law 2014 CLE Conference – Oct 24, 2014 – Early Bird Registration ends tomorrow 10/01 at 5 pm.

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Navajo Nation Law 2014 CLE Conference – Oct 24, 2014 – Early Bird Registration ends tomorrow 10/01 at 5 pm.  Get your required annual Navajo Bar CLE credits here.   New Mexico MCLE approval pending.

Click here for Agenda and Registration:  

 

Professor Robert N. Clinton receives the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Native American Bar Association of Arizona

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Congratulations to ILP’s Professor Robert N. Clinton who received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Native American Bar Association of Arizona last Saturday at the 6th Annual NABA-AZ – The Seven Generations Annual Awards Dinner & Silent Auction.

Quote from Carole E. Goldberg, UCLA Law,  Jonathan D. Varat Distinguished Professor of Law, Vice Chancellor, Academic Personnel. B.A. Smith College, 1968, J.D. Stanford, 1971

In the spirited exchanges over treatment of cases and doctrines, Bob was not shy about expressing his views, and more than held his own with more senior colleagues.  His razor sharp analytical powers were on display from the start.  It became my lifetime goal to stay on the right side of that blade.  Over the next twenty years, I had occasion to learn from Bob’s many law review articles, including his classic explication of Indian country criminal jurisdiction – to this day called a “maze,” a term Bob coined – and his original designation of federal Indian policy as “colonialism.”

Some of the arguments about treatment of particular cases and doctrines, especially arguments between Bob and me, could get intense.  Rebecca became very adept at ducking.  But it was all done with respect and affection, and out of concern to make the casebook the best possible instrument for teaching federal Indian law.  We even included a tribal court opinion that Bob had written, and proceeded to critique it in the Notes.

Congrats also goes out to the following ILP Alums: 

Community Service Award:  Diane Enos, President, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community  (Class of 1992)
NABA-AZ Member of the Year:  Diandra D. Benally, Assistant General Counsel, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation (Class of 2005)

 

Kevin Gover – Moving beyond the “imaginary Indians” perception

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Please see the Washington Post article about Kevin Gover – Moving beyond the “imaginary Indians” perception.

Kevin Gover – Moving beyond the “imaginary Indians” perception at http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/fred-hiatt-moving-beyond-the-imaginary-indians-perception/2014/09/21/ea1ee614-3f3b-11e4-9587-5dafd96295f0_story.html

Former ASU Law staffer to join Obama Administration in Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Office

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Congratulations to Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes!

The White House appointed Ann Marie Downes, ASU Law Class of 1994 and former executive director of the Indian Legal Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, to serve in the assistant secretary’s office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Downes is now deputy assistant secretary for policy and economic development.

“I’m a big believer in public service,” Downes said about the opportunity to join BIA, where she will work under Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn. “It was hard to leave my team at ASU, but it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. When you get the chance to serve, you take it.”

In her new role, Downes will oversee the Office of Self-Governance and the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development. She also will be a part of a new initiative, the White House Council on Native American Affairs. The council establishes a national policy to ensure that the federal government engages in a government-to-government relationship with federally recognized tribes in a more coordinated and effective manner.

“It’s an active and thriving office,” Downes said. “I see so much progress and positive steps being taken for Indian Country under this administration, and I look forward to continuing that work.”

Downes, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, served as policy adviser for Tribal Affairs under former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano before joining the Indian Legal Program at ASU.

“Ann Marie has dedicated her entire career to serving the needs of Indian Country, and I could not be more proud of her as she answers this call to public service,” said College of Law Dean Douglas Sylvester. “We are extremely grateful for the work she accomplished as part of the ASU community and wish her the best in her new role.”

Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, faculty director of the Indian Legal Program, said she will miss Downes’ leadership, “but the BIA will now have another incredible lawyer. Although the College of Law will feel the loss, the Indian Legal Program will continue to be the nation’s largest and strongest — and plans already are underway to find Ann Marie’s replacement.”

“The Department of Interior is gaining an invaluable resource with Ann Marie joining their team,” Ferguson-Bohnee added. “With her experience, Ann Marie takes a diverse background of tribal law and policy to an agency that works primarily with Indian tribes on a daily basis.”

Downes is a licensed attorney in California and earned her J.D. from the ASU College of Law in 1994.

 

https://www.law.asu.edu/News/CollegeofLawNews/TabId/803/ArtMID/7835/ArticleID/4720

Congrats to ILP Alums from the Class of 2006 Steve Bodmer and Courtney Monteiro for being recipients of the 40 under 40 award!

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Congrats to ILP Alums from the Class of 2006 Steve Bodmer and Courtney Monteiro for being recipients of the 40 under 40!

The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is pleased to announce its 2014 “Native American 40 Under 40” award recipients have been selected. This prestigious award recognizes 40 emerging American Indian leaders from across Indian Country who have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication and made significant contributions in business and/or in their community. 

http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=e712263dac83bf97d30c607ab&id=5accf007ce