ASU Indian Legal Clinic in D.C.

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On Feb. 11, Kris Beecher (3L), Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren (3L) and Blair Tarman (2L) accompanied Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee to the House Subcommittee on Elections Hearing on Native American Voting Rights: Exploring Barriers and Solutions. 

ILC students and Native Vote Fellow Torey Dolan (’19) helped to prepare the testimony that was delivered to the Subcommittee. Additionally, Navajo Nation Attorney General and ILP graduate Doreen McPaul (’01) testified on behalf of Navajo Nation. Congratulations to all involved!

You can view the testimony, which was recorded live in Washington, D.C., here.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez gave a hearty acknowledgement to the ILC. Read the post here.

Ferguson-Bohnee and McPaul were also quoted in a Cronkite News article about the Native Vote hearing on Feb. 11. Read the article here. 

Ferguson-Bohnee and McPaul were also quoted in a Cronkite News article about the Native Vote hearing on Feb. 11. Read the article here. 

Expanding our reach thanks to $5M donation

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On Jan. 31, we announced the $5 million gift that the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians generously gave to ASU and the Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance programs. The funds will help support our ever-growing program and allow us to extend our reach to more students who wish to study Indian law!

Read the ASU Now article here.

Thank you San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for this incredible gift!

Job Opportunity – Senior Counsel

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Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Scottsdale, AZ

Closing date: 3/6/20 11:59 pm

Definition: Under general supervision from the General Counsel, serves as lead attorney in handling and/or monitoring outside counsel assigned to handle complex commercial transactions for SRPMIC enterprises.  Assists the SRPMIC enterprises with day-to-day legal needs, including serving as a liaison between SRPMIC enterprises and SRPMIC government administration and departments.  Prepares and negotiates contracts, commercial leases, legal memoranda and other documents on behalf of the SRPMIC enterprises, and attends enterprise board meetings.  Regularly consults with other Office of General Counsel (OGC) attorneys to resolve complex legal issues and disputes.  Manages assigned caseload, ensures that applicable laws are followed, and that tribal sovereignty is protected and enhanced.  This job class is treated as FLSA Exempt.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:  Graduation from accredited college or university with a Law Degree (Juris Doctor).

Experience: Seven (7) years of experience as a practicing attorney involving commercial transactions or economic development in Indian country.  Experience that has provided knowledge of social and economic conditions of tribal governments is essential.  Knowledge and experience providing legal advice and mentorship in the areas of commercial transactions, leasing, federal Indian law and tribal government legal matters are required.   

For full job description, click here.

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Faculty Update – Upcoming Event

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Professor Robert Miller will be a featured speaker at the All Roads Lead to Chaco Canyon conference in Louisiana. The conference will be hosted on Coushatta land in Kinder, Louisiana, March 11-13. We have a conference website which has the agenda and registration. Right now, early bird registration is going on and we do offer student rates.

Find out more information here.

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$5 million gift to new Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance

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The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians recently made a $5 million gift to Arizona State University to provide for the renovation of the historic Herald Examiner Building in Los Angeles and to establish an endowment to support the Indian Legal Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU’s Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance programs. The gift will assist in increasing educational opportunities in the field of Indian law, the expansion of work experience for students interested in Indian law and will contribute to the development of Indian law trainings for Indian tribes and organizations. Read more: http://bit.ly/2GRoFmk

Job Opportunity – Associate Position

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Hobb, Straus, Dean & Walker LLP

Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP, a national law firm with offices in Washington DC, Portland, OR, Oklahoma City, OK, Sacramento, CA and Anchorage, AK, seeks an Associate Attorney for its Washington, DC office.  Hobbs Straus specializes in Federal Indian Law and has worked for over 35 years to realize positive change in Indian Country.  Our attorneys are dedicated to promoting and defending tribal rights, expanding opportunities for tribes, and improving the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Qualifications for candidates include: (1) superior research and writing skills; (2) strong academic performance; (3) strong communication skills; and (4) a commitment to tribal representation. 

We are looking for candidates with 0-3 years of legal experience.  Prior experience in the field of Federal Indian Law is strongly preferred.

To apply:  Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and writing sample to Ms. Robin Branthover at rbranthover@hobbsstraus.com.

www.hobbsstraus.com

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Indian Law 101 – Jan. 29

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Wednesday, January 29
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ak-Chin Indian Community Conference Center, Room 544
Beus Center for Law and Society, Phoenix, AZ

The new Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Programs will host a conference on the fundamentals of Indian Law.

Topics covered:

  • History of Federal Indian Law and Policy
  • Overview of Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction
  • Fundamentals of Tribal Self-Governance
  • Fundamentals of Indian Gaming

Presenters:

  • Professor Robert J. Miller
  • Professor Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes
  • Professor Lawrence S. Roberts
  • Executive Director Jay Spaan, Self-Governance Communication & Education (SGCE) Tribal Consortium

Register now and receive complimentary conference materials.

Standard Registration rate of $250 ends 1/23

Register at: law.asu.edu/indianlaw101

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Job Opportunity – General Counsel

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San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe
Tuba City, AZ

The San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, located in Tuba City, Arizona, is seeking to hire a General Counsel as the principal legal officer of the Tribe. For two years, the Tribe’s current General Counsel has assisted the Tribe in building foundational government infrastructure, but is now transitioning to provide special counsel legal services to the Tribe in the areas of land, water and other special projects. As a result, the Tribe now seeks to hire a new General Counsel.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Serve as the principal legal officer of the Tribe and report directly to the Tribal Council.
  • Provide professional legal counsel and representation to the Tribal government.
  • Assist the Tribal Council with governance matters and identify legal issues.
  • Implement legal strategies necessary to meet Tribal priorities as directed by the Tribal Council.
  • Provide legal advice and assistance to Tribal Administration in carrying out the daily functions of the Tribal government.
  • Draft and review laws, codes, ordinances, policies, procedures, manuals, handbooks and resolutions.
  • Draft legal and policy memoranda, correspondence, and other documents.
  • Coordinate work with other attorneys retained by the Tribe for various matters, including, but not limited to, land, water and gaming.

Qualifications and Skills

  • Education: Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
  • Member of the State Bar of Arizona in good standing with no past or present disciplinary actions or member of another state bar with the ability to obtain Arizona bar license within one (1) year of hire.
  • At least 5 years of experience practicing law in the field of Federal Indian Law and/or Tribal Law.
  • Ability to work efficiently, cooperatively and professionally in a highly complex field of law.
  • Ability to educate and explain topics in a wide variety of legal matters to enable informed decision-making by the Tribal Council.
  • Preferred, but not required: Prior experience as legal counsel to a tribal government; Navajo Nation bar license or ability to obtain license within one (1) year of hire.

San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe
P.O. Box 2950
Tuba City, AZ 86045
t.talaswaima@sanjuanpaiute-nsn.gov
Fax: 928-233-8948

See full job description here.

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