Three ASU Law Students Awarded Prestigious Udall Foundation—Native American Congressional Internships

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Monday, April 7, 2014

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State College of Law again highlights the prominence of its Indian Legal Program (ILP) with the selection of three of its students to the prestigious 2014 Native American Congressional Internship program run by the Udall Foundation. On April 2nd, the Foundation announced that 12 students from 5 tribes and 9 universities have been selected as 2014 Native American Congressional Interns.

ASU is proud to continue to have strong representation in this internship program and to continue to educate exceptional Native American future leaders.

The awardees were selected by an independent review committee on the basis of academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to careers in tribal public policy.

The ASU—Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law students are:

▪   Glennas’ba Augborne, Navajo Nation, interning with the Council on Environmental Quality. Glennas’ba is a Diné (Navajo) from Blue Gap, Arizona.  She is Coyote Pass clan, born for African American people.  Glennas’ba is currently seeking a J.D. with a certificate in the Indian Legal Program from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.  She would like to pursue a career in Indian and international law.  She has a passion for the potential relationships between Indian nations and other indigenous nations abroad.  She would like to either work directly with Indian nations in a liaison capacity, a firm, or in a federal agency.

▪   Jacqueline Bisille, Navajo Nation, interning in the office of Senator John McCain. Jacqueline Bisille is from the Navajo Nation (Dine) in Arizona. Her maternal clan is Tsedeeshgizhnii (Rock Gap People), her paternal clan is Asiihii (Salt), her maternal grandfather’s clan is Kinyaa’nii (Towering House People), and her paternal grandfather’s clan is Kinichii’nii(Red House People -Zia). Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Jacqueline attended Arizona State University (ASU) where she earned a B.S. in justice studies, a minor in American lndian studies, and an M.P.A. with a concentration in urban management. This May, she will earn an M.L.S from ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. Her interests include policymaking, renewable energies as an economic development driver, and strengthening tribal self-governance. She intends to work on tribal legislative and government affairs.

▪   Chelee John, Navajo Nation, interning with the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Division of Indian Affairs. Chelee John is Navajo (Diné) from Zionsville, Indiana. Chelee is currently seeking her J.D. from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. She attended Dartmouth College and graduated in 2012 with a double major in psychology and Native American studies. Chelee currently serves as her class representative to the Student Bar Association, is the community outreach chair for the Native American Law Students’ Association, and volunteers as a student ambassador for admissions and financial aid. She is an active participant in moot court. She was honored as a client-counseling finalist and was recently chosen to serve on the moot court executive board. Chelee also volunteers with the Business Legal Assistance Program helping local entrepreneurs start small businesses. Chelee hopes to help Native Americans and tribal governments by fostering economic development on reservations and by helping tribal entities engage in capital markets.

This highly regarded internship program is intended to provide American Indians and Alaska Natives with an insider’s view of the federal government. The internship is located in Washington, D.C., and is known for placing students in extremely competitive internship positions in Senate and House offices, committees, Cabinet departments, and the White House, where they are able to observe government decision-making processes firsthand.  The Udall Interns will complete an intensive, 10-week internship in the summer of 2014. Special enrichment activities will provide opportunities to meet with key decision makers. From 1996 through 2014, 221 American Indian and Alaska Native students from 110 tribes will have participated in the program.

For more information about the Indian Legal Program at ASU Law, visit http://www.law.asu.edu/ilp/TheIndianLegalProgram/ILPHome.aspx.

NABA-AZ APRIL 2014 MEMBER PROFILE: KEVIN POOLEY

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Kevin Pooley is a second year JD candidate at the Sandra Day O’Connor College Of Law at Arizona State University. He graduated Cum Laude from Brigham Young University with degree in Philosophy. Kevin grew up in Arizona and has lived primarily in Flagstaff, Yuma, and Avondale. He is currently an intern for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Prosecutor’s Office. Kevin’s study interest include criminal law, evidence, and security transactions. In his spare spare time Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife and eight month old son.

Q&A

Why did you go to law school?

My family is the most important thing to me and I wanted to be in a line of work where I could support them in a respectable field. I also went to law school because I wanted to help Indian Country. When I was growing up, I was always told that my great-grandfather said that “the days of fighting with bows and arrows it over… the time has come for Indians to fight their fights with books and words.” That story inspired me to go into law.  

What do you hope to have accomplished in your career five years from now?

Right now I am taking things one step at a time so my first goal is to graduate and pass the bar! After that I hope to get a job and then gain as much experience as I can.

Why are you a member of NABA-AZ?

I am a member a NABA-AZ because I feel they really care about what Native American lawyers are doing in the legal field and their communities. I am so impressed with how much they reach out to the law school to make us students feel welcome and excited for the future. They have provided many opportunities to network and get involved. They also have also provided many mentoring opportunities for students. Seeing the members’ hard work and dedication has been an inspiration to me.

Job Opportunity – Dept of Justice TRIAL ATTORNEY

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This and other attorney vacancy announcements can be found at: http://www.justice.gov/careers/legal/attvacancies.html.

 

ATTORNEY VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION
APPELLATE SECTION
TRIAL ATTORNEY, GS-13/14/15
OPEN: 04/07/2014
CLOSE: 4/14/2014
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: ENRD-14-025-EXC

About the Office: The Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) of the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking an experienced litigator for its Appellate Section for a full-time position in Washington, DC.

The Appellate Section is responsible for handling cases in the federal courts of appeals involving the ENRD for preparing appeal recommendations, and for preparing drafts for the Office of the Solicitor General of petitions and briefs in all ENRD cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. For more information about the Environment & Natural Resources Division, visit the Justice Department’s web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd.

Responsibilities and Opportunity Offered: Cases involve such subject matters as: air, water, and solid waste regulation; hazardous substance cleanups; public land and forest management; water rights; Indian treaty rights and Indian gaming; land condemnation; Fifth Amendment takings; fish and wildlife conservation; and criminal environmental prosecutions.

Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least five or more years of post-J.D. litigation/legal experience, and be a U.S. citizen. Applicants with U.S. Court of Appeals experience or with a background in environmental or natural resources law will be preferred.

How You Will Be Evaluated: You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience you report relative to this position. Paid and unpaid experience will be considered.

Travel: Periodic travel is required.

Salary Information: Current salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range is GS-13 ($89,924 – $116,901); GS-14 ($106,263 – $138,136), and GS-15 ($124,995 – $157,100) per annum.

Location: Washington, DC

Terms of Appointment: This is a permanent appointment with a probationary period following a security clearance, for a full time position. Selected attorneys are eligible for employment benefits such as health and life insurance, the FERS retirement program, paid vacation and sick leave, and a public transportation subsidy.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Submission Process and Deadline Date: Applications must be received by Monday, April 14 2014.

Applicants must submit a current resume, cover letter highlighting relevant experience and salary history, a writing sample, and OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment (found at this link: www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf) to:

U.S. Department of Justice, ENRD
Appellate Section
Attn: Aaron Avila, Assistant Chief
Please reference vacancy announcement number ENRD-14-025-EXC.

Email applications only, please to: ATTYAPPLY-APP.ENRD@USDOJ.GOV

No telephone calls, please.

What to Expect Next: Once your complete application is received, we will evaluate your qualifications. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30-60 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.

Internet Sites: For more information about the Environment & Natural Resources Division, visit the Justice Department’s web site at: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/. This and selected other legal position announcements can be found on the Internet at: http://www.justice.gov/careers/legal/attvacancies.html.

Department Policies: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination based on color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, status as a parent, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, on the basis of personal favoritism.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

We place a high value on diversity of background, experience and cultural perspective and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those from all racial and ethnic groups, women, LGBT individuals, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test that screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

There is no formal rating system for applying veterans’ preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans’ preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans’ preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD-214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.

Schedule A: The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. Note: The Department of Justice also suggest eligible Schedule A applicants should submit their resumes to resume@benderconsult.com and reference “Federal Career Opportunities” in the subject line. For more information, visit the Bender Consulting Services website at www.benderconsult.com.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.

 

 

2 Positions available – Hopi Tribe

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Deputy General Counsel
Hopi Tribe (Kykotsmovi, AZ)
Position Type: Attorney
Practice Area(s): Government, Indian/Native American, Energy, Telecom and Utilities, Legal Risk Evaluation
Geographic Preference: Southwest (AZ, NM)
Description: The Deputy General Counsel provides professional legal counsel and representation to the Hopi Tribal government – including legislative and executive branches of the Hopi Tribe, the administrative departments, offices, and programs – as specified by the Tribal Council and the General Counsel. The Deputy General Counsel manages day -to-day and administrative matters of the Office of General Counsel, including oversight on the Assistant General Counsel and the office staff.

Required Education/Experience:

-Juris Doctorate required
-Six years of legal experience in Indian law
Desired Class Level: Alum 4-6 yrs exp, Alum 7+ yrs exp, LLM
Posting Date: April 4, 2014
Expiration Date: May 4, 2014
contact: Elward Edd
HR Director
PO BOX 123 Kykotsmovi, Arizona 86039 United States
Resume Receipt: Other (see below)
How To Apply: Apply online at:
http://north-arizona.jobing.com/Job_Details2.asp?JobID=4478811

Applicants must submit an employment application in addition to a resume.

http://www.hopi-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Hopi_Tribe_Employment_Application.pdf

id: 23870

__________________________________________________________________________________

General Counsel
Hopi Tribe (Kykotsmovi, AZ)
Position Type: Attorney
Practice Area(s): Government, Indian/Native American, Energy, Telecom and Utilities, Legal Risk Evaluation
Geographic Preference: Southwest (AZ, NM)
Description: The General Counsel is the principle legal counsel of the Hopi Tribe and provides professional legal counsel and representation to the Hopi Tribal government as specified by the Tribal Council. The General Counsel manages the work of the Tribe’s Office of General Counsel, and assists the Tribal Council in managing the work of the Tribe’s outside legal counsel.

The General Counsel shall focus legal representation and work for the Hopi Tribe on the following priority areas and issues:

**Land – includes land acquisitions, moving lands into trust, the acquisition of State interspersed lands,
assistance with development of Hopi businesses, 1882 Reservation litigation matters, and Hopi eagle issues.
**Water – Includes Little Colorado River Water Rights Adjudication (litigation undertaken in conjunction with
the Water Team and outside water rights counsel), L.C.R. litigation, N-Aquifer/Mohave Power Plant
projects and mediation (in conjunction with Water/Energy Teams, energy economic experts, and outside counsel),
The C-aquifer Project, and Federal and State relations respecting Hopi Water Rights and issues.
**Energy – Including electricity development, development of a Tribal Utility Authority, development of energy
businesses, issues with Peabody and other energy companies, energy transportation and transmission, alternative
energy, and Federal and State relations respecting Hopi energy issues.
**Supervision of the Tribe’s outside/contract attorneys, and participation in the work to help achieve successful
completion of their assigned work.
**Provides backup to the office of General Counsel on complex matters as directed by the Tribal Council
or as otherwise determined appropriate by the General Counsel.
**Works with the Deputy General Counsel to ensure accomplishment of the overall work of the Office of
**General Counsel – maintaining ultimate accountability to the Hopi Tribal Council.
**Performs other related duties as assigned or authorized by the Hopi Tribal Council.
Desired Class Level: Alum 7+ yrs exp, LLM
Posting Date: April 4, 2014
Expiration Date: May 4, 2014
contact: Elward Edd
HR Director
PO BOX 123 Kykotsmovi, Arizona 86039 United States
Resume Receipt: Other (see below)
How To Apply: Apply online at:
http://north-arizona.jobing.com/Job_Details2.asp?JobID=4478672

Applicants must submit an employment application in addition to a resume.

http://www.hopi-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Hopi_Tribe_Employment_Application.pdf

id: 23869

 

Job Opportunity : Dept of Interior – Washington DC

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Department Of The Interior – Office of the Solicitor – Attorney –  Advisor

The following vacancy announcement SOL-2014-0010 is posted at:  https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/365422000

Job Title: Attorney-Advisor
Series & Grade: GS-0905-14
Position Information:  Excepted Appointment
NTE 2 years – Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Closing Date:  April 6, 2014

If you have any questions regarding this vacancy announcement, please contact Kristen Davis at (703) 648-7463 or kjdavis@usgs.gov.