Author Archives: dwilliams

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.

Job opportunities: Tulalip Tribes of Washington

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The Tulalip Tribes of Washington is a federally recognized Indian Tribe located on the Tulalip Reservation in the Puget Sound, approximately 30 miles north of Seattle. The Tulalip Office of Civil Legal Aid (TOCLA) is a tribal civil legal aid office that provides free legal assistance to low-income tribal members with general civil legal issues including those that affect safety, family integrity, health, access to public benefits, and education. Collectively, TOCLA assists clients in identifying legal and non-legal needs, then works with them holistically to address barriers to accessing services. TOCLA currently houses four legal divisions: Civil Legal Aid Victim Advocacy, Parent Dependency Representation, and Children Dependency Representation. The Tulalip Office of Civil Legal Aid has a rare opening for a children/youth attorney, and a youth attorney fellow in their dependencies unit.

YOUTH ATTORNEY POSITION

TOCLA is looking for an attorney with a passion and commitment to representing children and youth in dependency cases.  We follow Washington State’s Children’s Representation Practice, Caseload, and Training Standards, but we hold a smaller caseload to ensure that we spend the appropriate amount of time with each client, and on every case. TOCLA has an excellent dependency division of four other experienced dependency practitioners, including a NACC Child Welfare Law Specialist, and over 37 years of combined dependency practice experience across various tribal and state jurisdictions. We are a fun, supportive office who loves our work helping others through holistic and zealous legal advocacy. Our clients are amazing, and the legal community at Tulalip is supportive and innovative.

The Tulalip Office of Civil Legal Aid offers a generous compensation package that exceeds most public defender/legal aid salaries. Benefits include up to six weeks of annual leave per year depending on experience, extensive annual training and professional development opportunities, excellent health insurance, a 401K contribution, and PLSF eligibility.  Salaries depend on experience, but they start at $115,000 per year. This is an exempt, salaried 40 hour per week position.  TOCLA is a community-based tribal law office that provides weekly remote work opportunities and some schedule flexibility.  

If you have questions about the position, please contact TOCLA’s supervising attorney Chori Folkman at: cfolkman@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov.  Applicants should go to this website to apply:  https://employment.tulaliptribes-nsn.gov/job/300/child_advocate_attorney_open_until_filled    Applicants who are Native American or other people of color, members of the LGBTIA+ community, people with disabilities, members of other underrepresented or marginalized groups, or those with lived experienced are especially encouraged to apply.  This position will be open until filled.

POST GRADUATE YOUTH ATTORNEY FELLOW POSITION:

TOCLA is looking for a qualified and passionate candidate to fill their Post Graduate Children’s Attorney Fellow position. 

TOCLA and the Tulalip Tribal Court received a grant to fund a post graduate fellowship opportunity for recent law grads to gain experience as a youth attorney in a tribal dependency court system in efforts to expand the interest and commitment of new attorneys into the field of youth representation in tribal dependency matters.  Fellows will gain an understanding of tribal and state dependency and child welfare practice, while obtaining experience working directly with children and youth clients under the supervision of experienced child welfare attorneys. Fellows do not need to have passed the WA State Bar exam, but can practice as a Rule 9 intern under attorney supervision. The fellowship lasts for eight months, and the fellow will be paid a competitive salary for a 32 hour a week position.

If you have questions about the position, please contact TOCLA’s supervising attorney Chori Folkman at: cfolkman@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov.  Applicants should go to this website to apply:  https://employment.tulaliptribes-nsn.gov/job/298/attorney_childrens_fellow_open_until_filled   Applicants who are Native American or other people of color, members of the LGBTIA+ community, people with disabilities, members of other underrepresented or marginalized groups, or those with lived experienced are especially encouraged to apply.  This position will be open until filled.

Job opportunity: 2025 Tribal Law Summer Fellowship

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About The Firm: 
The Circle Law Group, P.C. is a Native woman owned law firm representing tribal governments and tribal businesses located in Sacramento, California. We specialize in the field of tribal, state and federal law and its application to tribes, tribal businesses, government negotiations, tribal housing, land use and planning, cultural resource protection and representation related to internal tribal governance matters. We represent tribes and tribal businesses across the state of California and western states.

Basic Functions:

  • Legal Fellows will work in partnership with skilled Indian law practitioners to develop skills to successfully provide legal services in Indian Country.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist and shadow attorneys as they provide counsel and legal services in a professional manner while maintaining express confidentiality.
  • Apply knowledge of business issues, legal procedures, cases, statutes, and other regulatory authority to provide basis for attorneys to effectively counsel clients.
  • Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda and necessary pleadings required in state, federal or tribal litigation matters on an as needed basis.     
  • Draft tribal codes, regulations, agreements, analyze and review legal documents as needed.
  • Interface with clients where appropriate.
  • Travel to off-site meetings with prospective and current clients as needed.
  • Comply with all applicable law school, court, and state bar licensure obligations.
  • Comply with firm employee handbook and other processes.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Applications Must Include:

  • A Writing Sample
  • Law School Transcript
  • Resume
  • Cover letter identifying why this is an opportunity you would like to pursue, any tribal government experience you have and why Native American legal issues are significant to you.

Applications are due October 1, 2024. The program is 10-12 weeks long and begins May 19, 2025, or soonest available. Applications can be emailed to Admin@TheCircleLaw.com

Job Dates
Application Begins: On 08/19/2024, 8:00am MST
Application Deadline: 10/01/2024, 11:30pm MST
Anticipated Job Start Date 05/19/2025

Application Information
Application Method(s)
External Job URL: https://thecirclelaw.com/Careers.html
Apply via Email: admin@thecirclelaw.com

Application Documents

  • Resume (Required)
  • Cover Letter (Required)
  • Transcript (Required)
  • Writing Sample (Required)
  • Applicant Notifications
  • Notify primary job contact of new applications

Contact
Michelle Lee, Founder
admin@thecirclelaw.com
9168098900
930 F Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

ILP voices elevate Indian law discourse in Arizona Attorney Magazine

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The ILP family is well represented in this month’s “Special Focus on Indian Law” in the Arizona Attorney Magazine. Crispin South (2L) was highlighted in the “Editor’s Letter: A healthy constitution” for his contributions to the Model Constitutional Convention hosted at ASU Law. Edward Hermes (’13) co-authored an article with Kelsey Haake “Promoting Economic Development and Exercising Sovereignty” and Alexander Mallory (’19) wrote an article “SCOTUS and Native Student College Admissions.”

Job opportunities: Tribal Policy Analyst

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The Washington State Office Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for three exempt full time Tribal Policy Analyst positions in the Policy Unit. These positions may be located in Seattle or Olympia, Washington, and are not union-represented

Exempt Salary Range: $77,000 – 85,000 annually.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

The following stipends may apply based on position requirements:

  • Incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend.
  • Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend. 

For full description and application, see job announcement: Tribal Policy Analysts #08663

Five MLS students receive scholarships

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The Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Programs are pleased to announce the Master of Legal Studies scholarship winners for Fall 2024. Congratulations to Evalena Boone, Joseph Bryant, Talitha Ann Rose, Sandi Wilson and Thomas Yazzie! 

We also thank the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their support, which allows us to offer this scholarship and supports the students’ goals of understanding legal issues and positively impacting Tribal interests.

Job opportunity: Tribal Nations Associate

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Drummond Woodsum
Portland, Maine or Flagstaff, Arizona
Tribal Nations Associate

Drummond Woodsum is seeking an associate to join its nationally-ranked Tribal Nations Services Group.  The associate selected for this position will work from either our firm’s home office in Portland, Maine or our satellite office in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Drummond Woodsum’s Tribal Nations Services Group provides high-level, quality services to Tribal nations, Tribal enterprises, and companies that do business with Tribal nations or in Indian Country.  Our practice, with Tribal government clients and Tribal businesses, advocate for Nation building actions through the creation and maintenance of strong, resilient governmental structures and economies.  We serve as outside general counsel to many of our clients, guiding our clients through complex, sophisticated Indian Country projects and facilitating nation-wide business and financial transactions.  We represent our Tribal clients in litigation and other adversarial proceedings, advocacy settings before federal, state, and tribal forums, as well as in various negotiations with States and other non-tribal governments.  Because Drummond Woodsum is a full-service law firm, our attorneys share their deep knowledge of their respective areas of law, enabling us to meet and satisfy our clients’ needs efficiently and effectively.  

Qualifying candidates include associates with two to four years of experience. 

For full job description and how to apply, click the following link: 2024 TNPG Associate Job Posting

Job opportunity: Tribal Prosecutor

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Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe
Kingston, WA

Salary: $106,752.07 – $122,002.37 Salary/year

Closes: 8/23/24

The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe is unwavering in its commitment to fully assert its sovereignty as it works to prevent and diminish criminal activity and victimization within the Reservation.  This commitment requires robust and efficient efforts in investigation and prosecuting crimes, complemented by meaningful utilization of traditional healing and cultural services for victims, along with suitable measures to address offenses appropriately. The Tribal prosecutor is a pivotal collaborator in advancing these objectives, concurrently identifying, and mitigating potential risks to the Tribe’s political, social, and cultural integrity relating to Tribal justice and victimization. 

The Tribal Prosecutor collaborates closely with and provides legal support to the Tribal Police Department, the Indian Child Welfare Program, Probation & Pretrial Services, the Natural Resources Department, Domestic Violence Program, Vulnerable Adult Program, and other Tribal departments and programs to assess Tribal interests and provide deliver vigorous and effective prosecution services across a spectrum of crimes; juvenile delinquency and status offenses, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse and neglect, fish and wildlife offenses, civil exclusion matters, traffic offenses, and other relevant civil offenses with Tribal jurisdiction.  

Required Qualifications:

  • Must have a J.D. and be an active member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association, or other State Bar Association, with ability to become member of Washington State Bar Association within one year of hire.
  • Knowledge of tribal, state, and federal law relevant to proceedings in the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe.
  • Willingness to learn about and to respect the culture and traditions of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe.
  • Ability to employ tact, courtesy, positivity, flexibility, and healthy perspective in the workplace.
  • Ability to maintain professionalism while interacting with a wide variety of people in a fast-paced, emotionally charged, crisis-oriented environment.
  • Ability to pass pre-employment UA drug/alcohol screening and comply with drug-free workplace policy thereafter, subject to random testing.
  • Ability to pass pre-employment background check demonstrating no felony conviction in tribal, state, or federal court, and no misdemeanor conviction within one year of hire.
  • Must be licensed driver with private, insured vehicle for use during workday.

See full job posting.

Job opportunities: Executive Director and Staff Attorney

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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.  For over 45 years, the Center has championed the cause of American Indian and indigenous peoples, demanding justice, equality, and respect for indigenous peoples’ human rights. Together with Indian and Alaska Native nations, we have not only defined but also created new human rights at the international level. We have many times confronted forces that threatened to undermine Indian sovereignty and emerged victorious in national and international legal and policy arenas. The Center’s work has raised awareness of systemic inequities and has transformed attitudes rooted in ignorance and racism.

The Center is headquartered in Helena, Montana, with a Washington, D.C. office and eight programs currently operating in the United States and five countries in Central and South America. The Center has a staff of ten and an annual operating budget of approximately $3.4M.  More information on the Center can be found at:  https://indianlaw.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Qualifications and responsibilities:

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and growth of the organization. This role requires a dynamic and visionary leader with exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills, a deep commitment to indigenous peoples’ rights, and the ability to inspire and mobilize staff, collaborators, funders, and those we serve.  We seek an Executive Director with these core skills and values and are open to organizing our team to best complement this person’s leadership style.

For example, an Executive Director focused on legal and public activism may opt to elevate operations and fund-raising professionals to play a larger role in their respective areas of expertise.  Conversely, an Executive Director with strong general management, executive leadership and fund-raising skills may want to encourage staff focused on legal work and public activism to play a more public role. These are ideas we are open to exploring in this process.

For full Executive Director job description and application, click here.

STAFF ATTORNEY

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.

For full Staff Attorney job announcement and application, click here.