Monthly Archives: October 2009

JOB: LaPena Law Corp

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Job Title Attorney
Job Location Sacramento, CA

Job Description
The LaPena Law Corporation represents tribal clients on tribal, cultural, governmental, and economic development matters. We represent Indian tribes in tribal governmental operations; fee-to-trust and related real estate issues on and off reservation lands; selection and establishment of tribal entities; cultural resource protection; financing of tribal operations and development projects; gaming development and gaming regulation; establishing and counseling tribal gaming commissions; preparation of tribal codes and constitutions; housing development and finance; grant writing; Indian law litigation including environmental issues, contract disputes, Indian child welfare, and gaming; and other Indian law matters.

We seek an associate attorney to join our growing Sacramento office. Qualified candidates must possess a Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school, California State Bar license. An academic or practical background in Federal Indian law is preferred.
Candidates must also possess excellent analytical, research and communication skills, and the ability to work well independently and as a team in a fast paced environment.
We offer excellent salary and bonus compensation, and a benefit package.

Please email your cover letter, resume, a writing sample, and law school transcripts if graduated within the past five years to AmyAnn Taylor at ataylor@lapenalaw.com.

Organization Name LaPena Law Corporation
Contact Name AmyAnn Taylor
Business Address 2331 Capitol Avenue
City Sacramento State CA Zip 95816

Business Phone
Business FAX 916-442-9907
Business Email ataylor@lapenalaw.com
Web Address www.lapenalaw.com#http://www.lapenalaw.com#

Will they accept applicant inquiries? no

Salary Range
Application Deadline 11/15/2009

Eligible Applicants
1L no
2L no
3L no
Alumni yes

Applicant Information Requested

Resume
yes
Writing Sample
yes
Law School Transcript
no
Reference Letters
no
Other
yes

JOB: Nordaus Law Firm

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Job Title Associate Attorney – Santa Fe
Job Location Santa Fe, NM

Job Description
The Nordhaus Law Firm, LLP is seeking a full time associate attorney with one to three years of relevant experience to work primarily on Indian water rights litigation in our Santa Fe, New Mexico office starting on or about October 15, 2009. Demonstrated interest in Indian law is required.

Experience in water law and/or Indian law is strongly preferred. The Firm is dedicated to the representation of Indian Tribes and Tribal entities on environmental issues, natural resource protection and development, jurisdictional issues, Tribal governance issues, economic development projects, and in administrative and regulatory processes as well as in trial and appellate litigation. Native Americans are encouraged to apply. Please apply immediately by
submitting: (1) a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position, (2) a resume, (3) a legal writing sample, (4) a list of references, and (5) an official law school transcript to Hiring Partner Santa Fe Position, Nordhaus Law Firm, LLP, 1239 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501. You may submit your application by email to hiringpartner@nordhauslaw.com.

Organization Name Nordhaus Law Firm LLP
Contact Name Hiring Partner
Business Address 1239 Paseo de Peralta
City Santa Fe State NM Zip 87504

Business Phone (505) 982-3622
Business FAX (505) 982-1827
Business Email hiringpartner@nordhauslaw.com
Web Address #http://www.nordhauslaw.com/#

Will they accept applicant inquiries? no

Salary Range
Application Deadline 10/31/2009

Eligible Applicants
1L no
2L no
3L no
Alumni yes

Applicant Information Requested

Resume
yes
Writing Sample
yes
Law School Transcript
yes
Reference Letters
yes
Other
no

Please apply immediately by submitting: (1) a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position, (2) a resume, (3) a legal writing sample, (4) a list of references, and (5) an official law school transcript.

Experience Required
1 – 3 Years

JOB: Ho-Chunk Nation Court System Staff Attorney

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Date: 10/9/2009 12:30:07 PM

Contact: Hon. Todd R. Matha
Employer: Ho-Chunk Nation Trial Court
Address1: PO Box 70
CityStateZip: Black River Falls, WI 54615
Email: todd.matha@ho-chunk.com
Website: http://www.ho-chunknation.com/?PageId=107
AcceptingCalls: No

JobTitle: Staff Attorney/Law Clerk
Salary: $50,000/yr.
Hours: 40
Description: Staff Attorney/Law Clerk
The Ho-Chunk Nation Judiciary instituted the law clerk program shortly after its establishment in 1995. The Judiciary employs two law clerks for staggered terms of two years beginning on or around July 1. Several recent law school graduates have participated in the program since its inception, and many of those individuals currently practice and/or teach in the area of Indian law. The intention of the program is to provide a starting attorney with the necessary foundation to ably continue in this regard.

An interested applicant must submit the following documents to receive consideration for the law clerk position: 1) cover letter, 2) recent r?sum?, 3) transcript from an accredited law school, 4) writing sample, and 5) contact information for three professional/academic references. The Judiciary must receive the above application materials by mail on or before December 31, 2009. Applicants should direct materials to the following address:
Ho-Chunk Nation Trial Court
Attn.: Hon. Todd R. Matha
P.O. Box 70
Black River Falls, WI 54615-0070
The Judiciary will inform applicants of the need to attend an on-site interview, and consequently applicants must be willing to travel to Wa Ehi Hoci for such purpose. The Judiciary will reimburse travel expenses to the extent possible. This reimbursement may include overnight accommodation.

Job Description

POSITION: STAFF ATTORNEY / LAW CLERK
DEPARTMENT: JUDICIARY/HO-CHUNK NATION COURT SYSTEM
SALARY: $50,000 / yr. or $24.03/ hr.
SUPERVISOR: CHIEF JUDGE OF THE TRIAL COURTS
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Legal research and drafting of memoranda for Trial Court Judges and Supreme Court Justices on questions of law.
2. Research legal issues identified by the Chief Judge, Associate Judges and Supreme Court Justice and prepare written memoranda, draft opinions and bench memos as directed.
3. Compile case law and make it available to users of the HCN Court System.
4. Field questions from court users and design court forms as needed.
5. Responsible for editing monthly Court bulletins, maintains opinion summaries and law library.
6. Maintain and advise on updates to the law library.
7. Coordinate HCN Law Day and maintain records necessary for CLE accreditation with State Bar of Wisconsin.
8. Coordinate HCN Bar Admission for the HCN Supreme Court and occasionally assist in drafting and issuing various Court Rules.
9. Must assist with Lay Advocate Training.
10. Responsible to work with minimal supervision and exercise their independent legal evaluation throughout the workday.
11. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Graduation from an accredited law school.
2. Membership in good standing with ANY state bar within 1 year of employment.
3. Strong research and writing skills.
4. Strong word processing and computer research skills including familiarity with INTERNET access.
5. Demonstrated interest in and familiarity with Tribal and Federal Indian Law.
6. Fluency in Ho-Chunk Language desired but not required.
7. Preference to members of the Ho-Chunk Nation, other Native Americans.
8. Valid driver?s license, dependable transportation and proper insurance, is required.

Experience: 3L,Graduate,Taking Next Bar,Bar Passage
Submit: Resume,Cover Letter,Transcript,Writing Sample

Shana Barehand to present in DC

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From SAIGE:

Go to this website and listen to our Treasurer Shana Barehand present the issue of the murals at the Ariel Rios Building (EPA HQ) in Washington, DC, and make the case for their removal. LWFriday, September 25, 2009 – Censorship…: Who Should Say What Art Is?: (listen) If art is the freedom of expression then how can censorship even be an issue? When it comes to Native imagery or Natives creating images, the word censorship is no stranger. There are numerous images, sculptures and murals connected to or depicting the world of the Native American that have caused a stir for one reason or another. So when the heavy hand of censorship pounds down on the work of a Native artist, just what is the reality behind the word “no.” And when it comes to images that depict Natives in the savage form by non-Natives and a motion for its removal is brought forward by Natives, just how does this play into censorship? Guests are Native artist Bob Haozous from the Ft. Sill Apache Tribe and Treasurer for the Society of American Indian Government Employees, Shana Barehand. (Bob Haozous is the son of the late very well respected artist, Alan Houser.)

Go to: http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/nac_past2009.shtmlScroll down toward the bottom of the page and you will find the link to listen to the program for Sept. 25. It took them awhile to get this up on the website for listening. It will open and play with your default media player.For the history of SAIGE’s involvement with this issue you can go to our website at:http://www.saige.org/epamural/epamural.htm http://%20http//www.nativeamericacalling.com/nac_past2009.shtmlRead More

New Research Tool for Indian Law Judges, Lawyers & Students

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Need to know where to find an Arizona tribal code or tribal court opinion? Want a quick legislative history of a major federal Indian law? Looking for an authoritative list of websites that will keep you up to date on Indian legal issues? Then the ASU Law Library’s Indian Law Portal is the tool for you!

By providing links to comprehensive, authoritative, free materials the portal is a community resource that can be used by anyone doing Indian legal research. ASU subscription materials are available for use in the library.

The portal links to electronic and print resources and brings together in one place many legal and interdisciplinary resources that the University purchases for its students and faculty, including databases, indexes, full text electronic journals, authoritative websites, and print resources. Unique resources created specifically for American Indian law researchers, include a chart on Arizona Tribal Law Sources, legislative histories for selected federal Indian laws, and an historical timeline that links to primary legal documents.

If you need assistance in using the portal, check out our guide on How to Use the Indian Law Portal (it is also available as a presentation) or Ask a Librarian for further assistance.

Williams Completes CLA/CP Exam

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Jennifer Williams, legal assistant in the Indian Legal Clinic, has completed the two-day exam for Certified Legal Assistants or Certified Paralegals. Passage of the exam allows Williams to use the professional credential of CLA or CP. She is among 1,081 paralegals in the State of Arizona and 15,652 paralegals nationwide who have attained this goal.

“I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, and everyone in the Indian Legal Clinic for their encouragement and support while I studied and sat for the exam,” said Williams, who has worked in the Indian Legal Clinic for one year.

Established in 1976, the CLA/CP examination program is a voluntary professional credentialing program developed by the National Association of Legal Assistants and administered by a board composed of paralegals, members of the American Bar Association and members of the field of education active in paralegal training.

The exam covers communications; legal research; ethics; human relations and interviewing techniques; legal terminology; judgment and analytical ability and substantive law. Continuing legal education is required to maintain the status.

The National Association of Legal Assistants, headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., is a national, nonprofit association that represents more than 18,000 paralegals through individual members and 83 affiliated state and local associations.

Ferguson-Bohnee selected for Equal Justice Works award

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Patty Ferguson-BohneePatty Ferguson-Bohnee has been selected for the 2009 Equal Justice Works Outstanding Law School Faculty Award, which is given to young faculty of less than five years experience who are doing great work in public service.The award will be presented at the 2009 Equal Justice Works Awards Luncheon on Oct. 24 in Washington, D.C., at which Harold Koh, Legal Adviser of the U.S. Department of State and former Yale Law School Dean, will be the keynote speaker.

“This is a great honor and a tribute to Patty’s great work at the Clinic, as well as the dedication of the students who have participated in the Clinic over the past few years,” said Dean Paul Schiff Berman.

Rebecca Tsosie, Executive Director of the Indian Legal Program, praised Ferguson-Bohnee’s work.“Patty’s leadership of our Indian Legal Clinic has been absolutely exceptional,” Tsosie said.

Ferguson-Bohnee has substantial experience in Indian law, election law and policy matters, voting rights, and status clarification of tribes. She has testified before the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the Louisiana State Legislature regarding tribal recognition, and has successfully assisted four Louisiana tribes in obtaining state recognition.

Ferguson-Bohnee has represented tribal clients in administrative, state, federal, and tribal courts, as well as before state and local governing bodies and proposed revisions to the Real Estate Disclosure Reports to include tribal provisions. She has assisted in complex voting rights litigation on behalf of tribes, and she has drafted state legislative and congressional testimony on behalf of tribes with respect to voting rights’ issues.She is a member of the Pointe-au-Chien Indian tribe.