Job Opportunity – Cultural Resources Director

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Indian Legal Program

Cowlitz Indian Tribe
Ridgefield, WA

Salary Range: $35 to $45 per hour DOQ
Closing Date: Open until filled

Position Summary:
The Director of the Cultural Resources Director is charged with developing long-range plans andstrategies to highlight and promote the cultural identity of the Cowlitz Tribe. The Director will actively seek to cultivateand maintain local, regional, and national relationships that advance Cowlitz identity and the mission of the Tribe. TheDirector will maintain and promote Cowlitz image and reputation, while protecting Cowlitz traditional knowledge andintellectual property.

Minimum Qualifications:

5 years of supervisory experience in a capacity related to the essential job responsibilities.
Demonstrated ability to manage staff, budgets and schedules.
Demonstrated history of collaboration between diverse community partners, including government, commercial andnon-profit entities, and individuals.
Demonstrated history of NHPA Section 106 consultation
Comprehensive knowledge of Native cultures of the Pacific Northwest
Technology proficient across a variety of platforms and applications, including audio recording, still photographyand video production.
Tribal preference preferred

See full job description: Cultural Resources Director _ Ridgefield.

Please mail or fax Resume and Cover Letter to:
Cowlitz Indian Tribe
Human Resources Department
P.O. Box 2547
Longview, WA 98632
Fax: (360) 578-1641

Job opportunity – General Attorney

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Indian Legal Program

Department of Homeland Security
Customs and Border Protection
Office of Chief Counsel
Washington, DC

Closing date: 02/16/2021

In this position, you will become a key member of the legal team for The Office of The Chief Counsel. Typical work assignments include:

Providing legal advice and services concerning the laws that relate to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement and operational functions with special emphasis on customs, immigration, investigations, national security, counter-terrorism, and intelligence law;
Researching the law and prepares legal memoranda, litigation reports, declarations, and other documents in civil and/or criminal litigation or other actions involving CBP;
Providing current information and legal advice to the field concerning significant changes and other developments in law and jurisprudence;
Advising policy makers and coordinating legal issues with other agencies and components within the U.S. government and in support of international engagements; and
Reviewing CBP regulations, policies, and other materials and develops, reviews, and delivers training or other legal presentations as appropriate to support CBP missions.

See full job announcement and application details here.

Job Opportunity – Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP

Posted on January 21, 2021 by Indian Legal Program

Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP is a prominent tribal law firm providing legal representation and advocacy in a broad range of services, with an emphasis in tribal law and federal Indian law serving tribal nations, tribal business enterprises and tribal organizations throughout the United States.

Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP is seeking candidates with 5-10 years of litigation experience to join our metropolitan Omaha, Nebraska office. The right candidate will have the opportunity to work on cases in a variety of areas including constitutional law, environmental law, real estate, employment, tax issues, corporate/business matters, and complex federal, state and tribal court litigation at both trial and appellate levels.

Apply via Email: careers@bigfirelaw.com

Susie Taylor
HR Director
staylor@bigfirelaw.com
4025138244
1404 Fort Crook Rd S Bellevue – NE

ILP Alumni partnership creates Judicial Clerkship Handbook

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Indian Legal Program

The Pre-Law Summer Institute (PLSI) Judicial Clerkship Committee that includes ILP alumni teamed up and created the Judicial Clerkship Handbook to advise and encourage Native American law students interested in judicial clerkships across all levels of courts, including tribal courts.

PLSI Judicial Clerkship Committee:

Racheal White Hawk (’16), Chair
Christine Jordan, Member
Lydia Locklear, Member
Doreen McPaul (’01), Member
Rodina Cave Parnall (’01), Member
Alexander Mallory (’19), Member
Roshanna K. Toya, Member
Kateri Eisenberg

Who better to offer advice than those who have served in these positions? White Hawk, former Judicial Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Arizona Supreme Court; Parnall, former Judicial Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; Mallory, current Judicial Clerk, U.S. Immigration Court, Department of Justice Honors Program; and McPaul, former Judicial Clerk, Arizona Court of Appeals and former Staff Attorney, Navajo Nation Judicial Branch.

Q: What is the importance of this project?

A: This Judicial Clerkship Handbook is a product of the Pre-Law Summer Institute (PLSI) Judicial Clerkship Committee, which consists of current and former Native American judicial clerks. The Handbook provides the unique perspective and advice of such judicial clerks about the sometimes mystifying judicial clerkship application process and is targeted toward Native American pre-law and law school students. Such students comprise an important audience because Native Americans are vastly underrepresented as not only judicial clerks but also as judges in America, and there has long been a connection between clerking in the judiciary and eventually becoming a judge. It is, therefore, essential that Native Americans are able to obtain clerkships and thereby participate in the pipeline to the judiciary. Ultimately, the Handbook seeks to improve America’s judicial systems by ensuring the rich diversity of the American people is reflected in such systems, including the people indigenous to this land. The Handbook also includes robust sections discussing tribal court clerkships, ensuring that students are made aware of such clerkships and funding opportunities as well as ensuring that tribal courts are included in the discussion about judicial systems in America.

Q: What made you decide to create the handbook?

A: Each year, the PLSI Judicial Clerkship Committee selects several Native American students to attend the American Bar Association’s Judicial Clerkship Program, which connects students with judges and provides information to students about the clerkship experience and application process. Such students must submit application materials to the Committee that are similar to what students would submit for a judicial clerkship application. We noticed that some students needed assistance with their application materials, so we decided to create this resource to assist those and other students in need of guidance. We also recognized that many judicial clerkship handbooks did not discuss tribal courts and did not include the unique perspective of Native American students or advice regarding how to discuss a student’s federal Indian law experience or valuable experiences that might be different from the typical judicial clerkship applicant. Each year, we will provide this Handbook to Native American pre-law students as a resource and to the National Native American Law Students Association. We think it is important that Native American pre-law students in particular be made aware of judicial clerkships so they can better align their law school experience with becoming a judicial clerk if they wish to pursue such a path.

Q: What are you most anticipating moving forward with this project?

A: We hope Native American students will find the Handbook helpful in applying for judicial clerkships and that the number of Native Americans clerking and becoming judges will increase over time. We also plan to continue improving the Handbook each year. As part of this Handbook, we are also starting a mentoring program in the fall of 2021 by connecting current and former Native American judicial clerks with Native American pre-law and law school students. We hope this Handbook will help mentees prepare for, and mentors provide guidance about, the judicial clerkship application process.

________

Racheal White Hawk (’16)
Associate Attorney, Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, LLP
+
Rodina Cave Parnall (’01)
Director, Pre-Law Summer Institute, American Indian Law Center, Inc.

Job Opportunity – Tribal Attorney – Labor & Employment

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Indian Legal Program

Forest County Potawatomi Community
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Summary: Provides legal analysis and counsel on policy, on all labor and employment issues concerning the business and government operations of the Tribe.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Provides legal guidance and advice involving various areas of law.
Reviews, researches, interprets, and prepares both written and oral opinions on a wide variety of legal issues with respect to employment, wage & hour, work safety, harassment and discrimination
Drafts, reviews, and approves policies and procedures, regulations, bylaws, contracts, leases, and other legal documents; researches legal issues and recommends revisions as necessary.
Maintains professional and technical knowledge by conducting research, attending seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences.
Other duties as assigned.

Requirements (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities):

Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited law school; Licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin. At least three years of legal experience in tribal operations preferred.
Knowledge of corporate and/or governmental management and employment practices with eight years of experience in the field.
Research and knowledge of federal, state, tribal, and local law.
Ability to manage a number of priorities simultaneously.
Ability to work extended hours and various work schedules.
Seven years of experience preferred.
Must maintain confidentiality.
Other duties as assigned.

To apply, click here.

Job Opportunity – Deputy Associate Chief Counsel

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Indian Legal Program

The Resilience-Continuity and Preparedness Legal Division (RPCLD) is seeking an attorney to fill the Deputy Associate Chief Counsel (DACC) position. RPCLD is responsible for providing legal advice to the Deputy Administrator for Resilience, the Associate Administrator for Resilience, the Resilience Front Office Programs, the Grant Programs Directorate, the National Preparedness Directorate, the National Continuity Programs Directorate, and the U.S. Fire Administration. Additionally, RPCLD advises all of FEMA on Intellectual Property law. FEMA Resilience works to fulfill FEMA’s vision of a prepared and resilient nation through its programs and partnerships.

The DACC for RPCLD will report to the Associate Chief Counsel for RPCLD. The DACC will lead a team of 14 attorneys. In addition to leading the team, the DACC will provide advice to multiple SES and Political and Presidential Appointees. Accordingly, the ideal candidate must be able to quickly process a high volume of information and able to:

Think quickly to respond to a sudden change of information;
Show initiative and self-reliance to increase the effectiveness of the team; and
Keep an open mind and show willingness to learn new methods and techniques.

To qualify for this position at the GS-15 level, you must demonstrate:

At least five years of full-time professional legal experience gained after being admitted to the bar. The minimum four-year work experience requirement includes at least two years of specialized experience that is directly related to the position being filled. At least one of the two years of specialized experience must be at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to that of an attorney at the GS-14 level. Specialized experience for this position includes experience in emergency management and/or homeland security law. In addition, knowledge is required in FEMA laws, regulations and policies to provide expert counsel in support of complex disaster protection and national preparedness programs. Knowledge is also required of federal fiscal law, federal procurement law, federal personnel law, as well as demonstrated abilities to assess client risk. The ideal candidate must also possess excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills adequate to communicate effectively to Senior Executives. Additionally, supervisory experience is preferred and the ability to hold a TOP SECRET/SCI Security Clearance is required.

Application Instructions:

If you would like to be considered for this position, please send a brief cover letter explaining your interest, resume, and a writing sample no longer than 10 pages to Michelle Lienau at michelle.lienau@fema.dhs.gov by Friday, December 31, 2020.

Arizona Native Vote Changemakers

Posted on December 8, 2020 by Indian Legal Program

The Indian Legal Clinic student attorneys, ILP affiliates and volunteers worked on the Arizona Native Vote Election Protection Project (AZNVEP) for months to prepare for the general election on Nov. 3. The number of this year’s Election Protection volunteers made for a great success despite the circumstances! We had 100 volunteers, which is more than in past years, who assisted Native voters at over 60 polling locations in Arizona on Election Day through the Arizona Native Vote Election Protection Project. The ILC team included Native Vote Fellow Torey Dolan (’19) as lead, Brendan Clark (3L), Aspen Miller (3L), Dustin Rector (3L), MacArthur Stant (3L),and Blair Tarman (3L) under the supervision of Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee. Student attorneys provided virtual training sessions for volunteers, ran the hotline and interacted with voters on-site.

Through partnerships with the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA), the Native American Bar Association of Arizona (NABA-AZ), the Arizona Election Protection Coalition and volunteers, Native Vote served as an important resource for hundreds of Native voters during the 2020 election. Over 250 Native American voters called the Native Vote Election Protection hotline for assistance on Election Day, and many voters called prior to the election to check voter registration and polling locations, and answered questions regarding general election information.

With the extraordinary commitment from volunteers—ILP students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends—an Election Protection volunteer was on-site and available at the following locations: Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community, Tohono O’odham Nation, White Mountain Apache, San Carlos Apache, Pascua Yaqui, Yavapai Apache, Yavapai Prescott, Quechan, Cocopah Indian Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, and the Ak-Chin Indian Community.

We thank our ASU community for the support, which released the ASU Now article on election day that highlighted the greater work of Native Vote as well as the innovative Polling Locator Tool created just this year with US Digital Response. Watch the video to see how this tool was used by Native voters.

Two of our ILC students Miller and Stant who traveled to Hopi and Navajo Nation were highlighted in an Arizona Republic article.

Ferguson-Bohnee was quoted in the Center for Public Integrity article and Arizona Republic articles here and here.

On Nov. 11, Dolan was interviewed by Native America Calling to give a recap about Native Vote. She was also quoted in The State Press articles here and here.

Find more coverage from Ferguson-Bohnee, Dolan and Brian Garcia (’20) in this VICE article, which included Arizona Native Vote assisting with extension hours to a polling site.

We appreciate our partners and all who volunteered across Indian Country to ensure Arizona’s tribal communities and tribal members had access to the polls!

Job Opportunity – Associate Attorney

Posted on November 16, 2020 by Indian Legal Program

Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson, & Perry LLP is seeking an associate attorney with 1-5 years of experience in transactional and other Indian law experience for our San Diego, CA office. Interested applicants should have strong credentials and a commitment to representing Native American interests, and a clerkship is also highly preferred.

Sonosky, Chambers is a national law firm dedicated to representing Native American interests in a wide range of endeavors – including trial and appellate litigation, federal Indian law, tribal law, Indian self-determination and self-governance matters, transportation and infrastructure, natural resources, and economic development, among others. More detail about the firm is available at www.sonosky.com.

To apply, candidates should send an application that includes a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and a writing sample to Colin Hampson at champson@sonoskysd.com. Or visit the website at http://www.sonosky.com/careers.html to apply. This position is open until filled, but applicants should apply by January 15, 2020. Applicants must be licensed to practice law in California, or willing to become licensed.

Job Opportunity – Attorney Advisor

Posted on September 24, 2020 by Indian Legal Program

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Arlington, VA

Closing date: 9/30/20

Responsibilities

Joining the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) means being part of the team focused on securing the Nation’s physical and cyber infrastructure against threats to public health and safety, economy, and national security. Within CISA, the Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC) is responsible for all legal activities within CISA and represents the agency in all legal forums. OCC provides legal counsel on all matters pertaining to cybersecurity, infrastructure security, emergency communications, operations, and risk management. OCC determines CISA’s legal position in order to provide effective legal services dealing with policies, legislation, governance, claims, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. OCC drafts legislation proposed by CISA officials and furnishes legal advice in connection with reports on legislation proposed by Congress and other Federal agencies. OCC develops, implements, and coordinates CISA’ ethics program for current and former CISA employees

In this position, you will serve as an Attorney Advisor. Typical work assignments include:

Reviewing and providing legal opinions regarding the application of fiscal and appropriations law to all aspects of CISA Programs.
Providing legal advice and guidance to senior officials on legal issues relating to appropriations and fiscal law and the possible effects on missions and programs.
Attending meetings and coordinating written products and advice, as appropriate with other Chief Counsel divisions, the Office of the General Counsel, and other relevant CISA and DHS offices
Providing advice and guidance to attorneys in the CISA Chief Counsel’s office and staff in CISA Divisions and contributes to the formation of CISA-wide policies particularly on matters relating to fiscal and appropriations law.
Performing legal analysis and research, conducting or participating as necessary in meetings, conferences, and consultations, preparing memoranda and opinions, and maintaining continuing liaison with clients.
Providing written and oral counsel, legal reviews, opinions, or decisions in the application of fiscal and appropriations law to programs conducted or assisted by CISA Divisions, and to CISA policies

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must meet the following requirement:

Be an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, or District of Columbia, and a graduate of a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.

In addition to the above requirement you must satisfy the minimum education and experience standards for this position as defined below, in the absence of a qualifying exception to the standard.

You qualify for the GS-15 grade level (starting salary $142,701.00) if you possess following:

A first professional law degree (LL.B. or JD); or a second professional law degree (LL.M.).

AND

Specialized professional legal experience in excess of three (3) years that include serving as a legal representative in legal actions and providing legal counsel and guidance on organizational activities that include fiscal and appropriations law. Note: Your experience must be commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position. The quality of the individual’s background may be evidenced by the relatedness of his or her specialization.

For application and full job description click here.

“My win is a win for Native America” – Deborah Ann Begay (’10)

Posted on August 14, 2020 by Indian Legal Program

Congratulations to Deborah Ann Begay (’10) for her election to Moon Valley Justice of the Peace. She focused her campaign on restorative justice and community values – k’e – which means kinship in her tribe’s language and she believes can be viewed as effective action and solidarity. “If we truly believe in justice for all, then we must take a holistic approach,” said Begay. “We need this in our judicial system. It is time for more love, compassion, kindness, friendliness, generosity and peacefulness within our judicial systems.”

Begay is a member of the Diné (Navajo) Nation. She is Mexican clan born for the Towering House clan. Her paternal clan is Mountain Cove and her maternal clan is the Bitter Water. She is a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and will celebrate her 15-year anniversary this summer.

Begay attributes her campaign efforts to her experiences as an ILP student. “The ILP helped shape my vision for community, what it is and what it can be,” Begay said. “During law school, I was selected to work on the Navajo Peacemaker’s Manual. That experience changed the way I view justice and became part of my restorative justice platform. The other really important aspect of being an ILP student is the aspect of family. The ILP alumni network was a major source of my campaign funding. They contributed thousands of dollars to my campaign.” Begay expressed her gratitude to her mother and everyone involved, adding, “My win is a win for Native America.”

Her personal message to students: “Stay true to your vision. My goal has always been to serve my community. I did not know what that would look like when I graduated law school. Welcome those experiences that develop your character. Invest in your ILP colleagues because they will become valuable resources for all kinds of good stuff as you each take different career paths.”

We are very proud of you, Deborah. Congratulations!