Job opportunity: Tribal Legal Fellow

Environmental Policy Innovation Center

Deadline: February 26, 2024

About EPIC

The Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) builds policies that deliver spectacular improvement in the speed and scale of environmental progress. A nonprofit start-up, EPIC is committed to finding and highlighting the best approaches to scaling up results quickly. EPIC focuses on clean water, endangered species, environmental markets and the use of data and technology in producing environmental and public health outcomes. Our largest program is focused on delivering better, safer and more affordable water infrastructure to disadvantaged and historically underinvested communities. For more information on the restoration program at EPIC, see this link.

Position Description

EPIC seeks a Tribal Legal Fellow who will work closely with the Western Restoration Program Manager and the new Tribal Partnerships Manager to build expertise on the issues surrounding applications for federal restoration funding that is most relevant to tribes in the west, and who will have the opportunity to potentially transition into a role as a federal agency detailee. The fellow will preferably come with a legal background, or perhaps a master’s degree in public policy or public administration and demonstrated understanding of how federal funding programs work, and be able to quickly connect with several tribes throughout the west to understand the needs and gaps that might be addressed through improving the flow of federal funds. They should also understand federal grant administration, permitting and procurement policy. As a result of this one-year fellowship, the fellow should be well-positioned to work on detail with a federal agency, such as the Department of Interior.

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

Applying

Qualified candidates, who are also authorized to work lawfully in the United States, can apply by sending an email by February 26, 2024 to Garrett Altmann, Western Restoration Program Manager at garrett@policyinnovation.org with an email subject of “Tribal Partnerships Manager”. Please include a resume and a cover letter labeled with your last name, followed by the document type (e.g. “[Last Name]_Resume”). You may also provide any supporting documents we should consider in evaluating your candidacy (e.g., writing samples, references).

Job opportunity: Attorney-Advisor

Office of the Solicitor
U.S. Department of the Interior, Division of Water Resources  

Attorney-Advisor. Phoenix, Arizona (Telework eligible). The Solicitor’s Office performs a wide variety of the legal work for the United States Department of the Interior. The selected Attorney-Advisor will report to the Division of Water Resources, Branch of Water and Power and provide legal advice on and legal services for matters pertaining to various federal agencies but primarily to the Bureau of Reclamation, including guidance related to federal water-related contracts with Reclamation water users in the western states, including municipalities, water and irrigation districts, and Native American tribes, and interpretation of western water law, 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, and other relevant federal laws. Applicants should have the ability to interact and negotiate with Tribes, States, and local governmental entities, regarding contracts, agreements, and other matters.

In addition, SOL attorneys perform the legal work of the Interior and represent the Interior in administrative hearings. SOL works in conjunction with the Department of Justice in representing the Interior in judicial proceedings throughout the United States.  SOL also provides legal assistance in drafting and reviewing proposed legislation, regulations, contracts, title documents, and other legal instruments. Closing date: Friday, October 27, 2023.

More information
Position Title:  Attorney-Advisor
Series/Grade:  GS-0905-12/13/14 (FPL 14)
Duty Station:  Phoenix, AZ
Open Period:  10/13/2023 to 10/27/2023 

Announcement #:  SOL-DWR-24-VN-003 (EXC)

USAJOBS Posting: USAJOBS – Job Announcement

Job opportunity: MMIP Regional Coordinator

Applications are now being accepted for an MMIP Regional Coordinator GS-12, in the Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff offices.

Deadline: 10/4/23

$86,343 – $112,246 per year

At the full performance level, as a Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Coordinator in the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) and designated MMIP Regional Outreach Program Region, you will join a team responsible for carrying out the public safety mission of the Department of Justice, the Program Region, and USAOs in the District of Alaska, Oregon, Arizona, Western Michigan, or Northern Oklahoma. In this role, you will perform a variety of duties to promote the effective communication, coordination, and collaboration among federal, state, Tribal and local law enforcement, and non-governmental resources to prevent and resolve Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) related cases and issues.

Announcement link open to the public: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/750069000

Announcement link for federal employees and individuals eligible for special hiring authorities: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/750067900

Press Release

Justice Department Launches Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Regional Outreach Program

Program Will Place 10 New Personnel in Five Regions

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Department of Justice today announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people.

“This new program mobilizes the Justice Department’s resources to combat the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons, which has shattered the lives of victims, their families, and entire Tribal communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will continue to accelerate our efforts, in partnership with Tribes, to keep their communities safe and pursue justice for American Indian and Alaska Native families.”

“These new positions represent the Justice Department’s continuing commitment to addressing the MMIP crisis with urgency and all of the tools at our disposal,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “MMIP prosecutors and coordinators will work with partners across jurisdictions and alongside the Tribal communities who have been most devastated by this epidemic.”

“Vindicating the rights of missing and murdered indigenous persons and their families is a top priority for our office,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “As home to 22 federally-recognized tribes, this District has been thinking about — and working on — this issue for several years. It is a complex issue, with no easy solution. Hosting an MMIP coordinator for the Region will allow us to dedicate even more resources to this important issue.”

The MMIP regional outreach program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to United States Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People, and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons also issued in July 2022.

The program will dedicate five MMIP Assistant U.S. Attorneys and five MMIP coordinators to provide specialized support to United States Attorneys’ offices to address and combat the issues of MMIP. This support includes assisting in the investigation of unresolved MMIP cases and related crimes, and promoting communication, coordination, and collaboration among federal, Tribal, local, and state law enforcement and non-governmental partners on MMIP issues. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions, and MMIP personnel will be located within host United States Attorneys’ offices in the Districts of Alaska, Arizona, Eastern Washington, Minnesota, New Mexico, Northern Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, and Western Michigan. Programmatic support will be provided by the MMIP Regional Outreach Program Coordinator at the Executive Office for United States Attorneys.

“The Executive Office for United States Attorneys and the United States Attorney community are committed to preventing and responding to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people. To that end, we will work together with all relevant federal, Tribal, state, and local law enforcement partners to locate missing persons and solve crimes where they have occurred,” said Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director Monty Wilkinson. “This new program will allow the Department to build upon the work done by individual United States Attorneys’ offices and ensure continued support to those offices by coordinating outreach regionally on MMIP matters.”

More broadly, this MMIP program will complement the work of the Justice Department’s National Native American Outreach Services Liaison, who is helping amplify the voices of crime victims in Indian country and their families as they navigate the federal criminal justice system. Further, the MMIP program will liaise with and enhance the work of the Department’s Tribal Liaisons and Indian Country Assistant United States Attorneys throughout Indian Country, the Native American Issues Coordinator, and the National Indian Country Training Initiative Coordinator to ensure a comprehensive response to MMIP.

RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-098_MMIP Regional Outreach Program

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit: Justice.gov/AZ

Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Public Affairs Officer: Diana L. Varela (diana.varela@usdoj.gov)

Wiring the Rez 2023

Celebrating a legacy

Our Ninth Annual Tribal Government E-Commerce CLE Conference, Wiring the Rez was another smashing event! 

“The attendance is a tribute to the value of the conference and the fabulous work that the ILP team – Kate RosierTheresa BeaulieuDanielle Williams and Lindsay Stephens – performed to plan and put it on,” said Robert Miller, faculty director of the Rosette, LLP American Indian Economic Development Program. “Congratulations and a big thank you to all involved! I’m already looking forward to next year.”

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and participated in the special tribute to beloved ILP alum Rob Rosette (’96). Rob founded the Rosette, LLP, American Indian Economic Development Program at ASU Law and created an endowment fund that has allowed the economic development program to launch a project with students researching and drafting a how-to manual for tribal governments to assist in the creation and development of private-sector economies on their reservations.

We appreciate all of our esteemed speakers and sponsors for making this a big success. 

ENTRY LEVEL PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

FACTOR I: GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This is a professional position for an entry level attorney with the primary responsibility, through specialized training and skill to represent the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and its governmental departments in the Tribal Court, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and, when necessary, at public hearings. The position will independently present cases in the Tribal Court. The Incumbent shall, under the general direction of managing attorney, act as legal advisor and staff counselor to the Tribes for the Tribal Prosecutor’s Office with respect to the following matters which are not all inclusive:

  • Act as Tribal Prosecutor in Criminal and civil matters as required.
  • Act as counsel for the Tribes in Tribal Fish and Game cases;
  • The attorney will compose legal materials, conduct legal research, and effectively communicate with legal professionals and other interested parties in criminal matters and Tribal Fish and Game matters arising from duties assigned;
  • Represent Tribal interests routinely litigated in Tribal Court or Tribal Court alternative dispute resolution mechanisms;
  • Attorney shall conduct communications and liaison with federal, state and local governmental agencies and with private corporations, firms, or individuals in carrying out an authorized assignment, in conformity with practices necessary to property, conduct legal business, and to testify on behalf of the Tribes at such public hearings as may be deemed necessary to perform the duties assigned;
  • The Attorney will be expected to act as Tribal Prosecutor for and on behalf of the Tribes in Tribal Court proceedings, but may be required to appear as such before other courts, tribunals, departments, agencies and committees of Congress and the State legislatures as requested by Council;
  • Attorney shall provide technical assistance to Tribal Law and Order with regards to state, federal and local policies and regulations and the Tribal Law and Order Code;
  • Attorney must have working knowledge and competency with case management software (Advologix strongly preferred);
  • Perform all legal assignments designated by the Managing Attorney and/or Tribal Council.

o A primary responsibility of the position will be reviewing reports and drafting complaints

FACTOR II: DIRECTION RECEIVED

The position is under the general supervision of the Managing Attorney. The position uses experienced judgment and discretion to prioritize assignments and determines the best method to accomplish work within the deadlines established by the Prosecutors Office, the CSKT Laws Codified, Federal Law and Montana Code Annotated. In addition, the position performs work as instructed and seeks guidance from the supervisor as needed.

FACTOR III: SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

FACTOR IV: WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

This position interacts with various members of the judiciary, representing the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Tribal Court matters and with internal and external defense attorneys and the Tribal Membership. The position persuades, defends, discusses and justifies decision before and from the Court. Decisions based on the work of the incumbent may impact or have potential impact on the Tribal government. The incumbent is authorized to conduct communications and liaisons with federal, state and local government agencies, and with private corporations, firms, or individuals in carry out authorized assignments, in conformity with practices necessary to properly conduct legal business, and to testify on behalf of the Tribes at such public hearings as may be deemed necessary to perform the duties assigned. The incumbents acts as an official representative of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

FACTOR V: WORKING CONDITIONS

Exposure to office and Court environments with normal effort required.

FACTOR VI: QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Training: This position requires specialized knowledge acquired through intensive academic preparation at college level and/or legal educational institution. Must be a graduate of an ABA approved law school with a juris doctor or equivalent degree and admitted to practice law in the State of Montana or must be admitted to practice law in the State of Montana within six months of hiring.

Knowledge: Must have knowledge of general legal principles, criminal law and procedures, court procedures, law enforcement procedures, Federal law, Tribal Court and Indian law. Must have knowledge of the social and cultural lifestyles of the reservation community; knowledge of legal research methods, knowledge of basic legal writing and document preparation. Knowledge and working experience with word processing and related computer programs such as Word, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office, LexisNexis and Practice Panther or similar case management software.

Skills: Must have strong communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with and make arguments and presentations before the Tribal Court forum. Must have the ability to compose legal materials, conduct legal research, and have effective interview techniques. Must have the ability to present cases in the Tribal Court form independently.

Abilities: Applicant must have no criminal convictions other than minor traffic infractions for which the punishment does not include the possibility of a jail sentence. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a pre-hire drug test and serve a mandatory six (6) months probationary period.

2023 ILP Alumni Awards: Call for Nominations

The ILP alumni awards are now open. Nominate your classmates and friends! The ILP Awards include Professional Achievement, Alumni Service Award, and Emerging Leader Award. Nominations are due March 3, 2023! Nomination materials should be sent by email to: Kate.Rosier@asu.edu. Awards will be presented at the ILP Alumni & Friends Awards Ceremony at Fed Bar on Monday, April 17, 2023 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Nomination Guidelines

ILP Professional Achievement Award – This award recognizes outstanding achievement in Indian Law or Tribal Law throughout an individual’s career. The award honors ILP alumni whose achievements in the field of Indian Law or Tribal Law have brought distinction to themselves and real benefit to the Indian community. Nomination Package Requirements:

  • Describe the unique professional achievements in the field of Indian Law or Tribal Law that has brought distinction to the candidate. (maximum two pages)
  • Describe the recognized contributions made by this candidate that demonstrate a benefit to the larger community. (maximum one page)
  • Describe the ways in which the candidate’s achievements are truly extraordinary or exceptional. (maximum one page)
  • Provide at least two letters of support from individuals that can speak to the candidate’s impact on his or her profession.
  • Letters of support should speak to the magnitude of the individual’s impact in the practice of Indian or tribal law or in the Indian community.
  • Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
  • Past winners include: Claudeen Bates Arthur (’74) (Posthumous), Gloria Kindig (’89), Kathy Bowman (’86), Rob Rosette (’96), Diane Enos (’92), Ben Hanley (’71) and Herb Yazzie (’75).

ILP Alumni Service Award – This award is given for outstanding service to the Indian Legal Program, and is awarded for extended, extraordinary service to the Indian Legal Program. Nomination Package Requirements

  • Describe the ways in which the candidate has served or supported the ILP and the ILP alumni. Examples can include serving on committees, boards, CLEs, mentoring ILP students, or other volunteer or fundraising efforts or funding commitments. (maximum one page)
  • Describe the ways this service been truly extraordinary. (maximum one page)
  • Describe how the candidate’s service has benefited the ILP. (maximum one page)
  • Please provide at least two letters of support from ILP alumni as part of the nomination package.
  • Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
  • Past winners include: Rodina Cave Parnall (’01), Peter Larson (’02), Verrin Kewenvoyouma (’04), Ann Marie Downes (’94), Mary Shirley (’92) and Jeff Harmon (’05).

ILP Emerging Leader Award – This award acknowledges and encourages service to Indian Country and the ILP by alumni who are less than ten years out of law school. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in their professional career, volunteer work, and promotion or support of the ILP and/or ASU NALSA. Nomination Package Requirements.

  • Describe how the candidate has achieved professional success in their legal career.
  • Describe the candidate’s volunteer work.
  • Describe how the candidate achieved an exceptional level of service while balancing the demands of being a recent graduate. (maximum one page)
  • Describe how the candidate was proactive in efforts to become involved in ILP and/or ILP alumni activities. (maximum one page)
  • Describe how the candidate’s service has been sustained over a long period of time or how the service has been innovative or beneficial. (maximum one page)
  • Provide two letters of support from fellow ILP alumni.
  • Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
  • Past winners include: Jacob Schellinger (’12), Derrick Beetso (’10), Carolyn Angus-Hornbuckle (’09), Nikki Borchardt Campbell (’09), Steve Bodmer (’06), Elizabeth Medicine Crow (’05), Charles Galbraith (’07), Matthew Campbell (’08) and Michael Corey Hinton (’11).

Associate Job Announcement

The Santa Fe, New Mexico and Tempe, Arizona offices of Rothstein Donatelli, LLP are each seeking an associate for their Indian law practice. Rothstein Donatelli has offices in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Tempe, Arizona. The Indian law practice in Santa Fe specializes in federal Indian law, including gaming, economic development, water rights, land rights, civillitigation, and transactional matters. Tempe specializes in federal Indian law, including gaming, economic development, Indian Child Welfare Act, Indian health law, labor and employment law, and transactional matters. Rothstein Donatelli is committed to advancing the sovereign rights of Native American tribes. More information about the firm is available at www.rothsteinlaw.com.
The ideal candidate will have three or more years of experience with a demonstrated commitment to the highest quality of legal practice, excellent research and writing skills, and an interest in representing tribal Nations. Experience in Indian law is not required. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample to Manya Snyder at info@rothsteinlaw.com. The positions will remain open until filled. Salary competitive in the Santa Fe and Tempe markets and depending on experience.
Rothstein Donatelli LLP provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, sex or gender identity, results of genetic testing, or service in the military. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence,compensation, and training. The Firm expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment or discrimination based on any of the characteristics mentioned above. Improperinterference with the ability of other employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. The Firm is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and an inclusive environment.

Building Communication between Tribal & Federal Courts & the Agencies Administrating Justice in Indian Country

Friday, October 21, 2022
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Sandra Day O’Connor Courthouse, Jury Assembly Room
401 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ, and via Zoom

There is no charge for this event. Space is limited and registration is required.  CLE may be available.

Registration for In Person: rsvp.inperson@azd.uscourts.gov

Registration for Virtualrsvp.virtual@azd.uscourts.gov

Link to More Information

Questions: humetewa_chambers@azd.uscourts.gov