Author Archives: dwilliams

Job opportunity: CTFC Fellowship

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California Tribal Families Coalition (CTFC) is honored to offer the San Manuel Tribal Advocacy Fellowship – a new post-graduation position for law students who have lived experience in tribal communities and a demonstrated interest in federal Indian/tribal law or child welfare. The Fellowship is a one-year position and will provide a competitive salary, student loan forgiveness as needed, and mentoring and training in Indian law, specifically in Indian child welfare work. Applicants must be planning to take the summer California Bar Exam and commit to the one-year position beginning in or around August.

The CTFC team focuses on high impact work, community driven needs identification with a focus on high needs stakeholders. We are looking for engaged and driven individuals that thrive in a collaborative environment, seek mentorship and learning and enjoy creative problem-solving.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The fellowship will commence approximately 1-2 weeks upon completion of the California State Bar Exam. Pending Bar Exam results, fellows are supervised and trained by a Senior Staff Attorney and work on a variety of projects related to the mission of the organization. Projects may include: research and writing about legislative efforts to improve Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) practice-related statutes (including topics related to education law, delinquency law, and child welfare); research and analysis related to CTFC lawsuits against state and federal agencies; assisting attorneys in preparing motions and pleadings for court; and preparing and presenting training materials on issues related to child welfare and litigation. Fellows will also receive hands-on mentorship from Senior Attorneys and complete approximately 7 weeks of California Dependency Attorney Training for Tribal Attorneys.

Upon passing the California Bar Exam, Fellows will become a licensed and practicing attorney for CTFC and will continue working under the supervision of a Senior Staff attorney. Duties will continue to include various projects as outlined above, but will also expand to case-specific work, including representing Tribes in child welfare dependency matters, appearing in Court, negotiating favorable outcomes for clients, and legally advising Tribal Social Service Agencies.

Compensation & Benefits:

The CTFC Fellowship is a one-year, full-time paid position. Work setting will be remote. Preferred start date is 1-2 weeks after completing the California Bar Exam in Summer of 2025, with some flexibility. 

  • Salary range including benefits: $68,000-$90,700 commensurate on experience, more details on benefits available upon request but generally includes health, dental, and vision insurance and access to a retirement savings plan.
  • Up to $10,000 available in student loan reimbursement
  • Up to $2,500 for bar preparation support between May-July 2025

CTFC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Graduating Native Law Students are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

Applications will be accepted at fellowship@caltribalfamilies.org until 11:59 PM Pacific on October 30, 2024. Graduates of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Law, where the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has supported Indian law instruction, will receive priority consideration. To apply, please send the following materials by the deadline:

  • Resumé
  • Cover Letter – the letter should address experience or education relevant to the position that is not reflected in the resumé, especially if there is a unique area of focus within the CTFC mission the applicant is interested in.
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation
  • Law School Transcripts
  • Writing Sample
  • Short answers to the following prompts:
  1. Please describe your interest and experience related to tribal communities.
  2. Please describe your interest and experience related to child welfare.

California Tribal Families Coalition staff will schedule virtual interviews with qualified applicants shortly after the close of applications. The Fellowship is a remote position with some travel required. If you have any questions, please reach out to CTFC Senior Staff Attorney, Jhette Diamond, at fellowship@caltribalfamilies.org. 

Student attorneys sworn into Tribal Court

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On August 30, Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, Law Fellow Jordan Garcia (’23) and the Indian Legal Clinic students Garrett Bryan (3L), Shandiin Herrera (3L), Imani Hicks (3L), Morgan Oakes (3L) and Sadie Red Eagle (3L) traveled to the Gila River Indian Community Courthouse in Sacaton, Arizona. While at the court, the ILC student attorneys and Garcia were sworn in to the Gila River Indian Community Court by Chief Judge Anthony Hill (’06). Judge Charles Aragon led an informative tour during which the students met other judges and staff.

ILC student attorneys work with the Gila River Prosecutor’s Office on traffic trials. In this capacity, Bryan represented the Gila River Indian Community in prosecuting a civil traffic trial on Oct.1.

“Being able to practice in a courtroom as a law student is always a great privilege and worthwhile experience,” said Bryan. “This is especially true when practicing in Tribal Court, where that legal experience intersects with Indian country as a Sovereign Nation. While I don’t want to diminish what it means to gain experience in any other court, I especially appreciate being able to gain this experience in a Tribal Court.”

Bryan previously worked for the Gila River Indian Community Court as an intern and returned as a student attorney. “It was awesome to be able to practice in the Court in a very different role. While I may not have won my trial, it was a great learning experience. I had the opportunity to handle a traffic citation under the guidance of Clinic staff and the Gila River Prosecutor’s Office. This included pre-trial preparation and conducting the trial myself, for a great, well-rounded experience.”

“One of the reasons I chose to go to ASU Law was the ability to practice law in Tribal communities,” said Hicks. “I’m incredibly grateful that the Clinic provides opportunities for law students to appear in Tribal courts and represent clients. Before joining the Clinic, I spent most of my time in law school studying federal or state courts. However, this semester, I learned more about Tribal courts in Arizona and how Tribes provide equitable and efficient legal forums for their members.”

Before visiting the courthouse, the student attorneys met with members of the Gila River Prosecutor’s Office. Students conversed with the new Chief Prosecutor Lynn Arouh, Carleton Giff and prosecutors Ammon Orr (’16) and Dustin Rector (’21). ILC student attorneys prosecute civil traffic trials with the Gila River Prosecutor’s Office.

We extend our appreciation to the Gila River Indian Community Court for their continued support.

Job opportunity: Executive Director

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The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Board of Directors is launching a nationwide search for the next NIEA Executive Director to lead the dynamic, compassionate, and committed NIEA staff as we continue to work toward a thriving future for our Native students.

The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was founded in 1969, in Minneapolis, MN, by Native educators who were eager to find solutions to improve the education systems for Native students. NIEA adheres to the organization’s founding principles: 1) to bring Native educators together to explore ways to improve schools and the schooling of Native students; 2) to promote the maintenance and continued development of Native languages and cultures; and 3) to develop and implement strategies for influencing local, state, and federal policy and policymakers.

Reporting to a Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) provides overall strategic and operational direction for NIEA. The ED ensures the mission of the NIEA and the NIEA Board of Directors is carried out effectively and efficiently.

The position will remain open until filled.

Application Requirements

  1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
  2. CV or Resume
  3. Three (3) Reference Letters, with at least one related to work/experience in a culturally-relevant area

Salary/Compensation

  • Salary Range: $170,000-$180,000

Benefits: Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, Short-term and Long-term Disability, and Life Insurance

See full job description.

Job opportunity: Instructional Faculty

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Tenure Track Faculty – Native American Studies (Federal Indian/Tribal Law/Policy, Tribal Governance, and/or Sovereignty)

Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Sacramento
Categories: Unit 3 – CFA – California Faculty Association, Faculty – Social Sciences, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time

COLLEGE: College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies

DEPARTMENT: Ethnic Studies

POSITION TITLE: Native American Studies (Federal Indian/Tribal Law/Policy, Tribal Governance, and/or Sovereignty)

For full job posting, go to: https://careers.csus.edu/en-us/job/540805/tenure-track-faculty-native-american-studies-federal-indiantribal-lawpolicy-tribal-governance-andor-sovereignty

Job Opportunity: Staff Attorney

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Employer: The Indian Law Resource Center
Position Title: Staff Attorney
Salary: $70,000 to $105,000
Location: Helena, Montana, Washington, D.C., or remote
Department:
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Job Overview: The Indian Law Resource Center seeks a Staff Attorney with a demonstrated, serious commitment to protecting and advancing indigenous peoples’ rights, including particularly indigenous women’s rights. The attorney must be licensed to practice law in at least one state within the United States. Knowledge and experience in United States federal Indian law and experience in working with indigenous peoples’ rights are required. Ideally, the attorney will have the ability to work in both Spanish and English or Portuguese and English, but this is not required.
The Indian Law Resource Center is an American Indian nonprofit organization providing legal help without charge to indigenous peoples in the United States and throughout the Americas. The Center is known for its leadership in winning the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Center recently received an eight-year, $20 million grant from the Kellogg Foundation to support our new project to expand and strengthen indigenous collective land ownership in Mexico and Central and South America. Further information about the Center is on our website, www.indianlaw.org.

Key Responsibilities:

The attorney’s job will include work on our project for ending violence against indigenous women and girls. In our Safe Women, Strong Nations project, we:

  • Raise public awareness to gain strong federal action to end violence against Native women and children;
  • Provide legal advice to Native women’s organizations and Indian and Alaska Native nations on ways to restore tribal criminal authority, to preserve tribal civil authority, and to prevent violense against Native women and girls;
  • Advocate at the United Nations and the Organization of American States to attack violence against indigenous women as a human rights violation; and
  • Build alliances with indigenous and indigenous women’s organizations and indigenous communities and peoples in the United States and in Mexico and Central South America to help them address all forms of violence and discrimination against indigenous women and children.

The attorney will also participate in carrying out other legal work of the Center including providing legal assistance to Indian and Alaska Native nations and indigenous organizations in the United States and Canada in matters relating to self-determination, lands and resources, international human rights, and environmental protection and providing assistance to indigenous peoples in Mexico and Central and South America to title or secure legal ownership of their lands.

Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated commitment to indigenous rights;
  • Superior speaking, reading, and writing skills in English, and, ideally, Spanish or Portuguese as well;
  • Strong research and analytical skills
  • Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate both with Center staff and with our partner organizations;
  • Familiarity with indigenous communities and cultures and with the rights of indigenous peoples;
  • Ability to travel regularly in the United States and to indigenous communities in other countries;
  • Understanding of international human rights and advocacy before the United Nations and Organization of American States;
  • At least three years of experience practicing law;

The position is open immediately. Interested attorneys should apply or contact the Center as soon as possible. There is no closing date for applications. Applications will be considered as soon as they are received.
This is a full-time, salaried position. The attorney will work in the Center’s headquarters in Helena, Montana or in the Center’s Washington, D.C. office. Working remotely will be considered but is not favored. The salary range is between $70,000 to $105,000, depending on location, the experience and skills of the applicant, and other factors. The Center provides generous benefits including health insurance and retirement. All employees enjoy 120 hours of paid vacation annually, paid holidays, paid sick and personal leave, and other benefits.

To apply:
submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample (or multiple samples to demonstrate ability to work in Spanish or Portuguese), and two professional references combined in one PDF document to: Melanie Dayton, mt@indianlaw.org

Job Opportunity: Superior Court Commissioner

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Employer: Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County
Position Title: Superior Court Commissioner
Salary:$171,000 per year
Location:  Maricopa County, Arizona
Department:
Application Deadline: October 11, 2024.                   

Job Overview: The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County is accepting applications for appointment as a Superior Court Commissioner. The selected Commissioners may be assigned and/or assist with work or hear matters in all Court departments to include Civil, Family, Juvenile, Criminal, Probate, Mental Health, Tax or Justice Courts. The selected Commissioners may be assigned to Initial Appearance Court which may require evenings and weekends and may be for a year or more. One or more appointments may be made from this recruitment. A list of qualified applicants from which vacancies may be filled without additional announcements or recruitment will be made. As Judicial employees of the Court, Commissioners are not permitted to practice law.

Applications will be screened and selected candidates will be interviewed by a special Commissioner Nominating Committee and referred to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. The Presiding Judge will make the final appointment(s).

APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND TIMETABLE

Applicants must apply at https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/commissionerrecruitment during the open recruitment period. Registration in the application portal is required and an extensive personal history will also be obtained using this portal during this period. For more information about the position visit superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/commissioners

All application material must be submitted electronically to Judicial Branch Human Resources no later than 11:59 PM on Friday, October 11, 2024.

The Court will publish the names of applicants for the position of Commissioner to solicit public comment.

QUALIFICATIONS
A candidate for this position must be a United States citizen, a duly licensed member of the State Bar of Arizona, and a resident of the State of Arizona, for not less than five years immediately preceding his or her appointment. Applicants need not be a Maricopa County resident at the time of their application, however, under A.R.S. 12-211 (B) must be a resident of Maricopa County when appointed.
Achievement or distinction in various areas of the law and litigation consistent with the duties of this Commissioner position is desirable.

Commissioners serve from time to time as judges pro tempore in the course of their regular duties. The Arizona Constitution, Article VI, §22 requires that judicial nominees must be at least 30 years of age, of good moral character, and admitted to the practice of law in and a resident of the State for five years immediately preceding appointment.
Note: Commissioners are required to file an annual financial disclosure statement.

COMPENSATION, TENURE, AND LOCATION
The salary for the position is established by the Presiding Judge and is currently set at ninety percent of the salary of a Superior Court Judge. As of 1/1/2025, the Court Commissioner salary will be $171,000 per year. Fringe benefits include medical and dental insurance, life insurance, paid sick and vacation time, ten paid holidays, and participation in a state-sponsored retirement program. Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the Presiding Judge and are subject to periodic assessment through a judicial performance review program administered by the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County. The Superior Court operates from several locations throughout Maricopa County.

Commissioners are subject to assignments in various departments and for various periods to one or more locations based on the needs of the Court.

Commissioners share the supervision of their Judicial Assistants with Court Administration. For additional information, please contact Jennifer Fish at 602-506-4473 or at Jennifer.Fish@jbazmc.maricopa.gov

Apply: Click Here To Apply

NABA-AZ Board Positions: Call for Nominations

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There is an open board seat on the Native American Bar Association of Arizona (NABA-AZ) Board of Directors 2024-2026. Board members serve 2 year terms, which begin immediately following the Annual Meeting, and are expected to provide significant contributions to the organization’s activities and mission.

If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors, please email a letter of interest to Simon Goldenberg at simon.goldenberg@srpmic-nsn.gov by Oct. 1, 2024
 
Pursuant to the NABA-AZ Bylaws, Board members should meet the following requirements:

  • shall be a General Member in good standing with the Association
    • A General Member must be recognized by a Native community as being a Native American, Native Hawaiian, or Alaska Native and must also be a licensed attorney, judge or a tribal court practitioner admitted in good standing in tribal court in Arizona.
  • should be someone who can address and support the distinct, unmet needs of the Association
  • should be someone with leadership skills demonstrated by successful participation in an NABA-AZ committee, another bar association, experience on the board of directors of other nonprofit organizations, or other community efforts
  • should participate fully and even aggressively on behalf of the NABA-AZ.  The ability to attend Board meetings, the willingness to serve on Board committees, the desire to achieve good working relations with the Board of Directors and Officers and the commitment individually to take such steps as are necessary to promote the mission of NABA-AZ shall be measures of the requisite participation.