Category Archives: Jobs

Job opportunity: Assistant General Counsel

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Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
Fort McDowell, AZ

DEFINITION/PURPOSE:

Provide legal advice to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council, tribal departments and economic enterprises. Represent the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in matters brought in Tribal, State and Federal court.

TASKS:

Serves as legal advisor to the Tribal Council, tribal government departments and economic enterprises; Provides legal advice and analysis of tribal, state and Federal laws and regulations, specifically in relation to water and environmental law and policies; Drafts and revises the Tribal Constitution, Law and Order Code, other tribal laws, ordinances, and policies; Works at hours and times outside of normal business hours and days; Drafts, reviews and recommends changes to various contracts; Reviews other agreements, proposals; Represents the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in Tribal, State and Federal court actions; Performs other duties as assigned or required.

CLOSE DATE: March 26, 2024

For full job description and to apply, click here.

Job opportunity: Chief Staff Attorney

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COURT OF APPEALS, DIVISION ONE
1501 West Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Chief Staff Attorney
Department: Staff Attorney’s Office
Salary: $101,288 – $146,365

Job Description:
The Chief Staff Attorney must be very familiar with appellate jurisprudence, procedure, and jurisdiction. The Chief Staff Attorney must possess a high degree of verbal and written comprehension and be able to express thoughts clearly, both orally and in writing. The Chief Staff Attorney must possess strong interpersonal skills, be able to manage the Court’s high-volume and varied workload, and have strong drafting and editing skills.

The Chief Staff Attorney acts as a judge pro tempore.

The Chief Staff Attorney is a court manager under the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. The position requires strict adherence to rules on confidentiality and public access and to the ethical standards established in the Code for court managers besides the provisions applicable to all judicial employees.

Applications must be received by Friday, March 8, 2024.

See full job description: Chief Staff Attorney Job Posting FINAL

Job opportunity: Policy Lead – Environmental Sovereignty

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National Congress of American Indians 
Washington, DC

The Policy Lead – Environmental Sovereignty will conduct in-depth research and analysis on environmental, natural resource, and conservation law and policy at the tribal, federal, state, local, and international levels for the NCAI Institute for Environmental Sovereignty. The ideal candidate has a good understanding of administrative, federal Indian, and environmental law, and has at least three years of experience carrying out legal and policy research and analysis as well as drafting public-facing reports, white papers, and issue briefs. Candidates will have a passion for serving Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities and a deep interest in environmental protection and natural resource stewardship.

The Institute for Environmental Sovereignty’s mission is to advance Tribal Nations’ leadership in natural resource governance and environmental stewardship; the safeguarding of Indigenous peoples’ cultural heritage linked to the landscape and natural environment; and innovative Indigenous-led approaches to environmental protection. The Institute carries out this mission through its core objectives: (1) tracking environmental matters of greatest concern to Indian Country; (2) carrying out in-depth research and analysis of environmental and natural resource policy, law, programs, and action, at all levels and types of government, which impact Indian Country, treaty resources, cultural heritage, and tribal communities’ health and wellness; (3) advocating for greater tribal sovereignty over, and stewardship of critically important natural resources; and (4) convening Tribal Nation leaders, partners, and supporters around Indian Country’s greatest environmental problems, solutions, and promising opportunities to create communities of practice.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Under the direction of NCAI’s Director of the Institute for Environmental Sovereignty, the primary duties of the Policy Lead – Environmental Sovereignty include but are not limited to:

  • Conduct in-depth legal and policy research and analysis at the tribal, federal, state, local, and international levels
  • Engage in policy development
  • Draft reports, white papers, issue briefs, journal articles, and other public-facing documents
  • Monitor legal, policy, social, and technological developments regarding environmental, natural resource, and conservation matters
  • Develop and maintain expertise in law and policy related to environmental protection, natural resource stewardship, the relationship between Tribal Nations and federal, state, and local governments, and other related areas
  • Cultivate strong relationships with internal and external partners and partner organizations, technical experts, and government agencies and officials
  • Deliver presentations, both virtual and in-person
  • Contribute to grant writing in support of the Institute, including letters of intent, concept notes, and proposals
  • Travel in order to staff NCAI’s three major conferences that take place each calendar year, and occasional travel for site visits, meetings, and representing the Institute at conferences, including providing presentations on Institute projects when required

See full job description and apply.

Job opportunity: Associate

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Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC
Tempe, AZ
vtklaw.com 

Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC is seeking a motivated, self-driven, and ambitious full-time associate. Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC is a 100% Indian owned boutique law firm providing legal services exclusively to Indian tribes, tribal business enterprises, tribal agencies, and tribal entrepreneurs. Our firm provides services in the area of Indian law, business transactions, economic development, finance, gaming, and all areas of tribal government. We are proud to assist as day-to-day general or special counsel for tribes and corporate counsel for tribal business. 

Requirements: 

  • J.D. Degree from an A.B.A accredited law school with Bar License in California, New Mexico, Arizona and/or Oklahoma (or pending License)
  • 1-5 Years of experience (this is not necessarily legal experience, but may include business or tribal affairs experience as well) 
  • Demonstrated education or experience in federal Indian law 
  • Strong research, analytical and writing skills 
  • Transactional law, business law, economic development, and gaming experience a plus 

Applicants should submit the following information: 

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Writing Sample
  • Transcripts (if graduated or practicing law less than two years)
  • Three references 

Please submit information via email to gina@vtklaw.com. Please contact Gina Ortiz at 480-428-4590 with any questions. Native American hiring preference will be provided to qualified attorneys. 

Download full job announcement.

Job opportunity: Yurok Tribe General Counsel

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Yurok Tribe
Office of the Tribal Attorney
Klamath, CA
General Counsel
Salary: $128,835.20 – Negotiable DOE

Under the general supervision of the Yurok Tribal Council, the General Counsel will assist the Yurok Tribal Council and Tribal Departments in the legal matters related to the business of the Yurok Tribe. Incumbent will be responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling all activities of the Office of the Tribal Attorney. The General Counsel will ensure the efficient and economical use of the resources of the department, including budgeted funds, grant monies, personnel, facilities, and time, to accomplish short-term and long-range objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Perform legal research including extensive analysis of legal positions. Determine and apply legal principles and precedents to problems and issues.
  2. Provides legal advice, counsel and assistance to the Tribal Council and departments in relation to their duties and the operation of the Tribe and its programs in compliance with the Constitution, laws, and policies of the Yurok Tribe.
  3. Negotiates Federal and State contracts.
  4. Provides opinions concerning personnel policies and procedures.
  5. Provides legal advice related to employment classification and dispute resolution.
  6. Drafts appropriate ordinances and policies that assist in the implementation of the Tribe’s Self-Governance objectives.
  7. Represents the Tribe in Indian Child Welfare cases as needed.
  8. Provides opinions on, drafts documents and policies, and attends meetings concerning regulatory and environmental matters.
  9. Reviews and approves contracts entered into by the Tribe.
  10. Prepares legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments, and testimony in preparation for presentation of a case.
  11. Manages all outside legal counsel.
  12. Promotes tribal sovereignty in alignment with the Constitution and laws of the Yurok Tribe.
  13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Review full job description: 2023 General Counsel

Apply at: www.yuroktribe.org/jobs

Job opportunity: State Policy Advocates

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Protect Democracy is hiring State Policy Advocates in Arizona and Nevada. You can find that job posting here; Full listing of jobs is here.

Protect Democracy is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to preventing American democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. Our diverse, cross-ideological team defends elections, the rule of law, and fact-based political debate against authoritarian threats, and works to shape a better democracy for future generations. 

The State Policy Advocate will be Protect Democracy’s advocacy lead in Arizona or Nevada, working with our full team to design, execute, and contribute to a variety of initiatives that achieve impact and advance Protect Democracy’s mission. The ideal candidates bring a strategic approach and superb communication skills; a flexible, growth-oriented mindset and collaborative approach; a commitment to excellence; and enthusiasm for our mission. 

We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and with policy views across the political and ideological spectrum to apply. Finally, we do not expect any candidate to have 100% of the qualifications listed. 

Job opportunity: Attorney-Adviser

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Department of the Interior
Office of the Solicitor
Phoenix, AZ

This position is in the excepted service and not subject to competitive service procedures.
Merit promotion procedures do not apply.
This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.

As an Attorney-Adviser with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Intermountain region, Phoenix Field Office, located in Phoenix, AZyour specific duties will include:

  • Providing advice on and legal services for matters pertaining to the various agencies within the Department of the Interior, primarily for, but not limited to, the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation.
  • Providing advice and legal services on the topics of public lands management and western water law relating to laws and regulations of general applicability to Federal agencies, such as the Federal Land Management and Policy Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, National Reclamation Act, and other relevant federal laws.
  • Providing litigation support on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior and various Interior agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation, to the Department of Justice and practicing before the Interior Board of Land Appeals.
  • Involves knowledge of water law; public lands law; federal and state litigation procedure; the federal Indian trust responsibility and statutes relating to interactions between the federal government and Tribes; federal environmental laws; real property laws; contracts, financial assistance, and cooperative agreements.
  • Requires the ability to analyze legal requirements and succinctly provide advice and counsel to technical/non-legal professionals; and the ability to interact and negotiate with outside entities, including Tribes, States, and local governmental entities, regarding contracts, agreements, and other matters.

For full job description and to apply, go to Job Posting.

Job opportunity: Associate Attorney Position

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Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP is seeking applications for an Associate Attorney who will work in-person in the Washington, DC office.

Hobbs Straus is a national law firm with offices in Washington, DC; Portland, OR; Oklahoma City, OK; and Sacramento, CA.  Hobbs Straus specializes in Federal Indian Law and has worked for 40 years to realize positive change in Indian Country.  Our attorneys are dedicated to promoting and defending Tribal Nations’ rights and exercise of sovereignty, expanding opportunities for Tribal Nations, and improving the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Qualifications for candidates include:

  • A strong academic performance;
  • Superior research and writing skills;
  • Strong communication skills; and
  • A commitment to Federal Indian Law.

The position would begin immediately upon hire.

To apply, interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, unofficial law school transcript, writing sample, and references to Tisa Perry at bperry@hobbsstraus.com.

Please reach out to Tisa or to Katie Klass at kklass@hobbsstraus.com with any questions.  We will contact all applicants after we make our hiring decision.  However, should you receive another offer or otherwise want an update before you hear from us, please reach out to Tisa or Katie.

Thank you for your interest in Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP.

Washington, DC Office Location:
1899 L Street, NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 822-8282

Job opening: ASU Tribal Relations Director

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Arizona State University
Office of Government & Community Engagement

Serves as primary liaison between the University and tribal nations/communities locally, regionally, and globally to develop partnerships and seek to embrace and connect with tribal communities enabling both success of American Indian students by providing a climate of cultural respect and inclusion, and research integrity when working with tribal nations, communities, and native people.

Works in partnership with the Special Advisor to the President to assist the Office of American Indian initiatives.

See job announcement (pdf) and apply.