Job Opportunity – Staff Attorney

Posted on by

Navajo Nation Judicial Branch
Chinle, AZ

Under general direction of the Judges of the assigned district, performs work of considerable difficulty in providing complex legal advice and guidance; conducts legal research and drafts legal documents in support of the judges, court solicitor and court administrators; undertakes special projects for the Judicial Branch; performs related duties assigned. Provides legal guidance to judicial judges, involving numerous areas of law; utilizes a variety of research methods to find legal precedents; reviews statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies and procedures, case law, briefs and other administrative and legal documents; provides both informal and legal opinions, recommendations and legal briefs resulting from research; proposes alternatives and options to consider; drafts memoranda, decisions, judgements, orders, summaries and other legal documents. Provides advice and assistance in administrative issues, including, but not limited to, employment matters, policy issues, and impact of legislation; undertakes special legal and administrative projects, conducts legal education programs; participates in the development of training plans, curricula and educational materials and provides training; provides legal representation for the court in various legal arenas; attends meetings.

See full job description here.

To submit application, click here.

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

Job Opportunity – ILP Program Coordinator

Posted on by

Indian Legal Program, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Phoenix, AZ

Closing Date: September 23, 2019

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law seeks a dynamic, self-starter for the position of Program Coordinator.  The successful candidate will provide administrative support and assist with program development to the Indian Legal Program (ILP) which includes the Indian Legal Clinic (ILC) and faculty support.

Essential Duties
The successful candidate will be responsible for and have duties in the following areas:

  • Coordinate events and conferences for the ILP and ILC including registration, venue, food and guest speaker travel arrangements.
  • Train and supervise student workers for the ILP and ILC.
  • Coordinate information for the ILP monthly newsletter in SalesForce and event advertising campaign, including creative planning, compiling and editing content.
  • Monitor and update promotional and digital communication material via program’s website, blog and social media platforms to enhance marketing efforts.Assist ILP Executive Director and Faculty Director with various projects.
  • Prepare classroom materials, notes, course descriptions, examinations, best/model answers, grade sheets, and posting of Canvas notices and assignments for both ILP and program.
  • Assist with research and maintenance of databases for both ILP and ILC programs.
  • Support calendar and scheduling for ILP Executive Director, faculty/committee members of ILP.
  • Prepare/generate correspondence, manuscripts, routine letters and memos.
  • Arrange necessary and extensive travel reservations and itineraries; anticipate and prepare background material as needed; complete travel documentation process including entering trips into the Concur Travel System and the College of Law travel approval site to seek reimbursement for traveler.
  • Assist in monitoring the ILP budget and paying bills.
  • Interact and serve as liaison with students, faculty, staff and outside community agencies.
  • Open and review incoming mail and respond to routine inquiries.
  • Prepare special/recurring reports containing sensitive information.
  • Physical presence at the workplace is an essential function/requirement of this position.
  • Other duties as assigned that support the goals of the department, College of Law and ASU.

Download full job description here.

Please apply at: https://cfo.asu.edu/applicant and follow the instructions under Non-ASU Employees Job Opportunities. > Click on Advanced Search and enter Requisition ID: 55558BR and then click the Search button to the right. Then, click on results for 55558BR  to open position posting and click Apply to job button at the bottom of page. You will be asked to submit your resume, cover letter and three references.

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

Successful Pechanga Band Wills Clinic

Posted on by

On Sept. 23 and 24, Indian Legal Clinic students Cynthia Freeman (3L), Shayla Bowles (3L) and Cora Tso (3L) took part in the Pechanga Band Wills Clinic, led by Professor Helen Burtis (’07). The ILC partnered with the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians Tribal Leadership and the California Indian Legal Services to offer free legal services to the members of the Pechanga Band who wished to create wills for bequeathing their allotments.“The students did a tremendous job of building the clients’ trust in the limited amount of time available to them,” said Burtis. “Drafting Indian Wills is technically complex, and the students were dedicated to getting the clients’ estate planning wishes accurately incorporated into the documents.”

Read the full article on our blog here.

Native Vote Roundtable

Posted on by
 
On Sept. 13, ILP hosted the Maricopa County Native American Voting Roundtable at the Beus Center for Law and Society. This event is part of the 2019-2020 Roundtable Project in which the county and the Elections Department are bringing in voter’s voices into the conversation of what needs to change in the election and voting process in underrepresented communities. 

Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee kicked off the event and started the discussion by asking questions on what needs to be changed and how those changes be implemented to improve access to voting from Native American voters.

Several students, staff and faculty attended the event, including Professor Ferguson-Bohnee, ILC Program Coordinator Bari Barnes, Torey Dolan (’19), Brian Garcia (2L) and Hilary Edwards (1L). Edwards commented on her experience at the roundtable.

“We are participating in shaping the future of our communities by voting,” Edwards said. “I was intrigued by the purpose of the roundtable project, which is to keep an open line of communication between protected groups, underrepresented communities and the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office. It’s incredible that the MCRO has created a space to be with these various groups of people to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the changes that ultimately impact them.” 

Barnes helped coordinate the roundtable, “I think these meetings are important because it’s a forum that provides communities direct access to those who shape the process for fair and equitable elections; at the same time it’s an opportunity for those governing the process to meet the folks they represent.”

Job Opportunity: Associate Litigation Attorney

Posted on by

Associate Litigation Attorney

Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP

Associate Litigation Attorney
Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP is seeking candidates with 3+ 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.

Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP provides 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.

Requirements
•Active admission to any state bar
•Degree from an accredited U.S. Law School
•Attention to detail and demonstrated ability to follow standard procedures
•Comprehensive knowledge of litigation
•Ability to effectively interact, orally and in writing
•Licensed attorney with 3 years of experience in general civil litigation
•Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities with a “roll up yoursleeves” and team-oriented attitude
•Exceptional organizational skills, juggling priorities and adhering to strict deadlines
•First-rate academic credentials and references
•Superior research, writing and analytical skills and technology oriented
 

Preferred
•Knowledge of or experience working with Indian law or tribal courts
•Experience with Microsoft Office and cloud-based computer environment
Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:
Competitive salary
Health insurance
Dental insurance
LTD & Life insurance
Unlimited paid time off for attorneys (billable time requirement apply)
401K with match
Work -life balance and employee wellness promoted environment

Please send your cover letter and resume to: bbaker@bigfirelaw.com

www.bigfirelaw.com

.

Job Opportunity – Senior Advisor

Posted on by

Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Office of the Assistant Attorney General
Washington, D.C.

Closing Date: 8/23/2019

Summary: This position is located in the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of the Assistant Attorney General (OAAG). The incumbent serves as the Senior Advisor to the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for Tribal Affairs.

Responsibilities:
(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)

Serves as the senior, key programmatic advisor and expert for OJP on American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) affairs matters for federally recognized Tribes, Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders including the indigenous people of Palau, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Acts as the policy, advisory, and coordination focal point for issues within OJP for and on behalf of the Assistant Attorney General (AAG), OJP.

Advises the AAG and OJP senior leadership concerning policies, legislation, implementation of programs, and other issues related to reducing violent crime, supporting victims, and addressing public safety needs in tribal communities.

Provides leadership in the development of comprehensive policy and programs to improve public safety and victim services in tribal communities. As a primary responsibility, works with the AAG and OJP leadership to solicit tribal input in establishing OJP’s policy and budget priorities and recommendations for implementation. Determines and suggests matters which should be brought to the attention of OJP leadership and prepares or directs the preparation of briefing materials or position papers. Keeps abreast of significant developments in American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) affairs and keeps leadership informed.

Serves as the focal point of OJP for tribal programs, assessing the unmet needs of the tribal communities and developing implementation strategies addressing these needs in consultation with tribal governments. These strategies promote OJP responsiveness to tribal needs through coordinating OJP resources and funding consistent with the long standing policy of a government-to-government relationship between the federal government and tribal governments.

Evaluates and monitors complex national policies and programs to assess the overall impact of broad policy issues in terms of immediate, foreseeable, and long-range program directions. Initiates, explores, and establishes innovative approaches for increased program policy effectiveness and program coordination within the agency and outside organizations including national tribal organizations. Elicits cooperation and assistance through diplomatic relationships with Tribal governments.

To apply, click here.

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

NITA Training

Posted on by

NITA Motion Skills for Navajo Tribal Courts
October 1-3, 2019
Navajo Nation Museum
Window Rock, Navajo Nation

Free to All Members of the Navajo Nation Bar Association

This three-day program is designed to help you improve your courtroom motion practice skills, and is open to all practitioners barred on the Navajo Nation. With an emphasis on “learning by doing,” the first two days will focus on writing a motion based on provided case materials. The third day will focus on arguing that motion. Faculty members will discuss best practices for motion drafting, work with participants to refine their motions, and demonstrate oral argument skills. Through small group exercises, you will practice implementing these skills and receive suggestions for improvement on both your written product and oral presentation. Space is limited so please register early. Participants are expected to attend all three days. Participants who successfully complete the program may be eligible for Navajo CLE credits. The program is free to all Navajo barred practitioners.

To register please email your name and Navajo bar number to: kbelzowski@nndoj.org

For more information on NITA please visit:
http://www.nita.org/

Download announcement here.

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

Job Opportunity – Legal Director

Posted on by

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Foundation
Phoenix, AZ

Closing Date: Open until filled

Position Overview: Reporting to the Executive Director, the Legal Director will lead and expand the ACLU of Arizona’s legal program, including developing and litigating high-impact cases and managing the legal department. The Legal Director will be responsible for setting the overall legal strategy to advance the ACLU of Arizona’s mission, as well as handling the day-to-day management of legal staff, volunteers, and cooperating attorneys. As a critical member of the organization’s senior management team, the Legal Director will provide strategic leadership on both litigation and non-litigation legal advocacy in priority areas of criminal justice, immigrants’ rights, education, and LGBTQ equality, as well as other areas including First Amendment rights. In addition, the Legal Director works in close coordination with our policy, organizing, and communications teams, with the national ACLU staff, and other local and national partners to advance our advocacy goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and civil liberties consistent with the mission and goals of the ACLU;
  • 8-10 years of trial and appellate litigation experience in state and federal courts, including class actions, with a strong background in constitutional law and civil rights;
  • Admitted to the Arizona Bar or eligible for admission under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 34(f) (admission on motion);
  • Management experience in recruiting, training, managing, and motivating a diverse, high-performing litigation team;
  • Demonstrated record of moving legal cases forward from investigation and development and through all levels of the courts, with experience working with clients from diverse constituencies;
  • Excellent communication, media, presentation, written, and analytical skills;
  • Experience working closely with a volunteer board of directors and non-profit organizations, including allies from across the political spectrum;
  • Experience representing and working with activists and grassroots and other non-governmental organizations;
  • Excellent organizational skills and a creative and strategic approach to problem-solving and litigation;
  • Goal-oriented, project-oriented, and achievement-oriented, with an ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization;
  • A team-building and collegial management style, including effective communications skills, a warm personal style that commands respect, and a good sense of humor;
  • Courage and integrity.

Application Procedure:
Please submit a cover letter to info@acluaz.org that illustrates your commitment to civil liberties and civil rights, a current resume, a legal writing sample, and contact information for three professional references. Include “Legal Director Search” in the subject line and specify how you heard about the posting. No phone calls or walk-ins, please.

Hard copy materials may also be sent to the attention of “Legal Director Search,” ACLU of Arizona, P.O. Box 17148, Phoenix, AZ 85011.

For full job description, click here.

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

Fresh Starts – Hearing from our incoming 1Ls and transfer students

Posted on by

As we head into the fall 2019 semester, we welcome 12 new students into our Indian Legal Program! Law school can offer the keys to a successful future in law and the beginnings of life-long friendships, according to alumni. But what view do our new students have on starting at the ILP, ASU Law and law school in general? Five of our students shared their thoughts.

ASU Law 2019 Orientation
(more…)