Author Archives: dwilliams

Native Vote update

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We are celebrating major wins for Native communities in the final Election Procedures Manual (“EPM”) approved by Gov. Katie Hobbs on Dec. 29, 2023. The Indian Legal Clinic provided analysis and recommendations to Tribal leaders throughout this year’s EPM process, and as a result, leaders were successful in advocating for robust Tribal consultation and language assistance policies, as well as guidance on poll worker training related to key issues impacting Native voters. Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee provided an EPM update to Tribal leaders at the January Native Vote Strategy Session, and Democracy Director Joel Edman gave a legislative update. 

Job opportunity: Chief Staff Attorney

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COURT OF APPEALS, DIVISION ONE
1501 West Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Chief Staff Attorney
Department: Staff Attorney’s Office
Salary: $101,288 – $146,365

Job Description:
The Chief Staff Attorney must be very familiar with appellate jurisprudence, procedure, and jurisdiction. The Chief Staff Attorney must possess a high degree of verbal and written comprehension and be able to express thoughts clearly, both orally and in writing. The Chief Staff Attorney must possess strong interpersonal skills, be able to manage the Court’s high-volume and varied workload, and have strong drafting and editing skills.

The Chief Staff Attorney acts as a judge pro tempore.

The Chief Staff Attorney is a court manager under the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. The position requires strict adherence to rules on confidentiality and public access and to the ethical standards established in the Code for court managers besides the provisions applicable to all judicial employees.

Applications must be received by Friday, March 8, 2024.

See full job description: Chief Staff Attorney Job Posting FINAL

Job opportunity: Tribal Legal Fellow

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Environmental Policy Innovation Center

Deadline: February 26, 2024

About EPIC

The Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) builds policies that deliver spectacular improvement in the speed and scale of environmental progress. A nonprofit start-up, EPIC is committed to finding and highlighting the best approaches to scaling up results quickly. EPIC focuses on clean water, endangered species, environmental markets and the use of data and technology in producing environmental and public health outcomes. Our largest program is focused on delivering better, safer and more affordable water infrastructure to disadvantaged and historically underinvested communities. For more information on the restoration program at EPIC, see this link.

Position Description

EPIC seeks a Tribal Legal Fellow who will work closely with the Western Restoration Program Manager and the new Tribal Partnerships Manager to build expertise on the issues surrounding applications for federal restoration funding that is most relevant to tribes in the west, and who will have the opportunity to potentially transition into a role as a federal agency detailee. The fellow will preferably come with a legal background, or perhaps a master’s degree in public policy or public administration and demonstrated understanding of how federal funding programs work, and be able to quickly connect with several tribes throughout the west to understand the needs and gaps that might be addressed through improving the flow of federal funds. They should also understand federal grant administration, permitting and procurement policy. As a result of this one-year fellowship, the fellow should be well-positioned to work on detail with a federal agency, such as the Department of Interior.

For full job description and to apply, see Job Posting.

Applying

Qualified candidates, who are also authorized to work lawfully in the United States, can apply by sending an email by February 26, 2024 to Garrett Altmann, Western Restoration Program Manager at garrett@policyinnovation.org with an email subject of “Tribal Partnerships Manager”. Please include a resume and a cover letter labeled with your last name, followed by the document type (e.g. “[Last Name]_Resume”). You may also provide any supporting documents we should consider in evaluating your candidacy (e.g., writing samples, references).

Job opportunity: Policy Lead – Environmental Sovereignty

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National Congress of American Indians 
Washington, DC

The Policy Lead – Environmental Sovereignty will conduct in-depth research and analysis on environmental, natural resource, and conservation law and policy at the tribal, federal, state, local, and international levels for the NCAI Institute for Environmental Sovereignty. The ideal candidate has a good understanding of administrative, federal Indian, and environmental law, and has at least three years of experience carrying out legal and policy research and analysis as well as drafting public-facing reports, white papers, and issue briefs. Candidates will have a passion for serving Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities and a deep interest in environmental protection and natural resource stewardship.

The Institute for Environmental Sovereignty’s mission is to advance Tribal Nations’ leadership in natural resource governance and environmental stewardship; the safeguarding of Indigenous peoples’ cultural heritage linked to the landscape and natural environment; and innovative Indigenous-led approaches to environmental protection. The Institute carries out this mission through its core objectives: (1) tracking environmental matters of greatest concern to Indian Country; (2) carrying out in-depth research and analysis of environmental and natural resource policy, law, programs, and action, at all levels and types of government, which impact Indian Country, treaty resources, cultural heritage, and tribal communities’ health and wellness; (3) advocating for greater tribal sovereignty over, and stewardship of critically important natural resources; and (4) convening Tribal Nation leaders, partners, and supporters around Indian Country’s greatest environmental problems, solutions, and promising opportunities to create communities of practice.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Under the direction of NCAI’s Director of the Institute for Environmental Sovereignty, the primary duties of the Policy Lead – Environmental Sovereignty include but are not limited to:

  • Conduct in-depth legal and policy research and analysis at the tribal, federal, state, local, and international levels
  • Engage in policy development
  • Draft reports, white papers, issue briefs, journal articles, and other public-facing documents
  • Monitor legal, policy, social, and technological developments regarding environmental, natural resource, and conservation matters
  • Develop and maintain expertise in law and policy related to environmental protection, natural resource stewardship, the relationship between Tribal Nations and federal, state, and local governments, and other related areas
  • Cultivate strong relationships with internal and external partners and partner organizations, technical experts, and government agencies and officials
  • Deliver presentations, both virtual and in-person
  • Contribute to grant writing in support of the Institute, including letters of intent, concept notes, and proposals
  • Travel in order to staff NCAI’s three major conferences that take place each calendar year, and occasional travel for site visits, meetings, and representing the Institute at conferences, including providing presentations on Institute projects when required

See full job description and apply.

Job opportunity: Associate

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Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC
Tempe, AZ
vtklaw.com 

Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC is seeking a motivated, self-driven, and ambitious full-time associate. Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC is a 100% Indian owned boutique law firm providing legal services exclusively to Indian tribes, tribal business enterprises, tribal agencies, and tribal entrepreneurs. Our firm provides services in the area of Indian law, business transactions, economic development, finance, gaming, and all areas of tribal government. We are proud to assist as day-to-day general or special counsel for tribes and corporate counsel for tribal business. 

Requirements: 

  • J.D. Degree from an A.B.A accredited law school with Bar License in California, New Mexico, Arizona and/or Oklahoma (or pending License)
  • 1-5 Years of experience (this is not necessarily legal experience, but may include business or tribal affairs experience as well) 
  • Demonstrated education or experience in federal Indian law 
  • Strong research, analytical and writing skills 
  • Transactional law, business law, economic development, and gaming experience a plus 

Applicants should submit the following information: 

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Writing Sample
  • Transcripts (if graduated or practicing law less than two years)
  • Three references 

Please submit information via email to gina@vtklaw.com. Please contact Gina Ortiz at 480-428-4590 with any questions. Native American hiring preference will be provided to qualified attorneys. 

Download full job announcement.

2024 ILP Alumni Awards: Call for Nominations

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The ILP alumni awards are now open. Nominate your classmates and friends! The ILP Awards include Professional Achievement, Alumni Service Award, and Emerging Leader Award. Nominations are due February 23, 2024! Nomination materials should be sent by email to: Kate.Rosier@asu.edu. Awards will be presented at the ILP Alumni & Friends Awards Ceremony at Fed Bar on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Nomination Guidelines

ILP Professional Achievement Award – This award recognizes outstanding achievement in Indian Law or Tribal Law throughout an individual’s career. The award honors ILP alumni whose achievements in the field of Indian Law or Tribal Law have brought distinction to themselves and real benefit to the Indian community. Nomination Package Requirements:

  • Describe the unique professional achievements in the field of Indian Law or Tribal Law that has brought distinction to the candidate. (maximum two pages)
  • Describe the recognized contributions made by this candidate that demonstrate a benefit to the larger community. (maximum one page)
  • Describe the ways in which the candidate’s achievements are truly extraordinary or exceptional. (maximum one page)
  • Provide at least two letters of support from individuals that can speak to the candidate’s impact on his or her profession.
  • Letters of support should speak to the magnitude of the individual’s impact in the practice of Indian or tribal law or in the Indian community.
  • Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
  • Past winners include: Claudeen Bates Arthur (’74) (Posthumous), Gloria Kindig (’89), Kathy Bowman (’86), Rob Rosette (’96), Diane Enos (’92), Ben Hanley (’71) and Herb Yazzie (’75).

ILP Alumni Service Award – This award is given for outstanding service to the Indian Legal Program, and is awarded for extended, extraordinary service to the Indian Legal Program. Nomination Package Requirements

  • Describe the ways in which the candidate has served or supported the ILP and the ILP alumni. Examples can include serving on committees, boards, CLEs, mentoring ILP students, or other volunteer or fundraising efforts or funding commitments. (maximum one page)
  • Describe the ways this service been truly extraordinary. (maximum one page)
  • Describe how the candidate’s service has benefited the ILP. (maximum one page)
  • Please provide at least two letters of support from ILP alumni as part of the nomination package.
  • Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
  • Past winners include: Rebecca Ross (’10), Rodina Cave Parnall (’01), Peter Larson (’02), Verrin Kewenvoyouma (’04), Ann Marie Downes (’94), Mary Shirley (’92) and Jeff Harmon (’05).

ILP Emerging Leader Award – This award acknowledges and encourages service to Indian Country and the ILP by alumni who are less than ten years out of law school. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in their professional career, volunteer work, and promotion or support of the ILP and/or ASU NALSA. Nomination Package Requirements.

  • Describe how the candidate has achieved professional success in their legal career.
  • Describe the candidate’s volunteer work.
  • Describe how the candidate achieved an exceptional level of service while balancing the demands of being a recent graduate. (maximum one page)
  • Describe how the candidate was proactive in efforts to become involved in ILP and/or ILP alumni activities. (maximum one page)
  • Describe how the candidate’s service has been sustained over a long period of time or how the service has been innovative or beneficial. (maximum one page)
  • Provide two letters of support from fellow ILP alumni.
  • Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
  • Past winners include: Stephanie Sfiridis (’16), Jacob Schellinger (’12), Derrick Beetso (’10), Carolyn Angus-Hornbuckle (’09), Nikki Borchardt Campbell (’09), Steve Bodmer (’06), Elizabeth Medicine Crow (’05), Charles Galbraith (’07), Matthew Campbell (’08) and Michael Corey Hinton (’11).

Job opportunity: Yurok Tribe General Counsel

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Yurok Tribe
Office of the Tribal Attorney
Klamath, CA
General Counsel
Salary: $128,835.20 – Negotiable DOE

Under the general supervision of the Yurok Tribal Council, the General Counsel will assist the Yurok Tribal Council and Tribal Departments in the legal matters related to the business of the Yurok Tribe. Incumbent will be responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling all activities of the Office of the Tribal Attorney. The General Counsel will ensure the efficient and economical use of the resources of the department, including budgeted funds, grant monies, personnel, facilities, and time, to accomplish short-term and long-range objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Perform legal research including extensive analysis of legal positions. Determine and apply legal principles and precedents to problems and issues.
  2. Provides legal advice, counsel and assistance to the Tribal Council and departments in relation to their duties and the operation of the Tribe and its programs in compliance with the Constitution, laws, and policies of the Yurok Tribe.
  3. Negotiates Federal and State contracts.
  4. Provides opinions concerning personnel policies and procedures.
  5. Provides legal advice related to employment classification and dispute resolution.
  6. Drafts appropriate ordinances and policies that assist in the implementation of the Tribe’s Self-Governance objectives.
  7. Represents the Tribe in Indian Child Welfare cases as needed.
  8. Provides opinions on, drafts documents and policies, and attends meetings concerning regulatory and environmental matters.
  9. Reviews and approves contracts entered into by the Tribe.
  10. Prepares legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments, and testimony in preparation for presentation of a case.
  11. Manages all outside legal counsel.
  12. Promotes tribal sovereignty in alignment with the Constitution and laws of the Yurok Tribe.
  13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Review full job description: 2023 General Counsel

Apply at: www.yuroktribe.org/jobs

Job opportunity: State Policy Advocates

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Protect Democracy is hiring State Policy Advocates in Arizona and Nevada. You can find that job posting here; Full listing of jobs is here.

Protect Democracy is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to preventing American democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. Our diverse, cross-ideological team defends elections, the rule of law, and fact-based political debate against authoritarian threats, and works to shape a better democracy for future generations. 

The State Policy Advocate will be Protect Democracy’s advocacy lead in Arizona or Nevada, working with our full team to design, execute, and contribute to a variety of initiatives that achieve impact and advance Protect Democracy’s mission. The ideal candidates bring a strategic approach and superb communication skills; a flexible, growth-oriented mindset and collaborative approach; a commitment to excellence; and enthusiasm for our mission. 

We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and with policy views across the political and ideological spectrum to apply. Finally, we do not expect any candidate to have 100% of the qualifications listed.