Category Archives: Alumni

Job opportunity: Gaming attorney

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The Hopi Tribe is seek experienced attorneys or law firms to provide the Hopi Tribe legal advice and representation on its behalf in matters involving Arizona Indian Gaming.

Proposal due date: March 29, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. (Arizona Time)

Contact: Office of General Counsel (928) 734-3141

Email proposals to: NPoneoma@hopi.nsn.us

Detailed scope of work:

The selected Contractor will provide the following services to the Hopi Tribe:

The Contractor will provide legal services to the Hopi Tribe in connection with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, matters under the Arizona Tribal State Gaming Compact (Compact) and applicable Hopi Tribe laws and policies. 

Specifically, the Attorney will work on amendments, negotiations and implementations of the Tribal State Compact. The Contractor will assist the Office of General Counsel with transactional services which includes, but not limited to review and drafting Hopi Tribe laws and policies with respect to gaming regulatory, drafting of contracts, review of licensing issues, amendments, negotiations and implementation of the Compacts and any ancillary issues related to the aforementioned.

Experience in the field of Gaming, Indian is essential.  Experience in Hopi tribal law is preferred. Demonstration of these qualifications should include information indicating the depth of experience and the nature of legal services in which you or your firm has been involved over time.

See job announcement: gaming attorney (2024)

Job opportunity: Equal Justice Works Fellowship

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Job Description: Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation will host an Equal Justice Works Fellow for up to 2 years in this fellowship program, to start as soon as possible and end January 23, 2026. The Fellow will work as a part of the Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Program, a national, professional Fellowship program for attorneys designed to mobilize legal aid in areas that have suffered disaster, including immigration and humanitarian crises, to ensure vital legal services are accessible, comprehensive, and responsive to the unique needs of individuals, families, and communities to rebuild more resilient communities.

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation is committed to contributing legal services and advocacy needed for the pono recovery of West Maui following the tragic wildfires of August 2023, and is honored to collaborate with Equal Justice Works as a host organization in the Disaster Resilience Program. This partnership will allow a fellow in the program to work at NHLC as a staff attorney dedicated to legal work in scope of this program.

What We Do: Equal Justice Works is the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law. We facilitate Fellowships at legal services organizations to help fulfill our nation’s promise of equal justice for all.

As a Disaster Resilience Fellow, you will be part of a prestigious group of attorneys hosted by legal services organizations across the United States. During the Fellowship term, Fellows work collaboratively to:

  • provide legal advice, referrals, and full representation to underserved Maui wildfire survivors;
  • identify areas for policy change and reform;
  • engage in outreach and education activities, such as Know-Your-Rights presentations;
  • and work with community partners to increase disaster preparedness and resilience.

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation is a non-profit legal service organization and the only law firm in the world dedicated to the practice of Native Hawaiian rights law. For 49 years, NHLC has steadfastly served the lāhui and people of Hawaiʻi to realize our vision for a just Hawaiʻi guided by Hawaiian values, customs, and ways of knowing. As a fellow at NHLC, you will join a firm with long history providing civil legal aid to Native Hawaiian families, Hawaiian Homes Commision Act beneficiaries, cultural practitioners, and stewards of Hawaiian lands, waters, cultural properties, and the natural environment. Our matters include work to protect constitutionally protected traditional and customary practice rights, hold government accountable to its trust duties, uphold Native Hawaiian entitlements, and ensure Native Hawaiian families have the legal counsel necessary to maintain homes and Hawaiian lifeways in Hawaii.

Fellowship Benefits: Equal Justice Works Fellows are part of a network of over 2,500 current and former Fellows dedicated to improving access to equal justice for all. As a member of the network, each Fellow has access to:

  • Equal Justice Works’ annual Leadership Development Training, which is attended by ~300 current Fellows each year. The conference will be in-person in DC in the fall of 2024 and 2025.
  • Responsive training and technical assistance from Equal Justice Work’s immigration TTA provider.
  • Regular substantive and skills-based webinars throughout the Fellowship.
  • Monthly networking and collaboration sessions with other Disaster Resilience Fellows.
  • Additional networking opportunities with all Equal Justice Works Fellows throughout the year.

How to Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to sharla.manley@nhlchi.org

Required Qualifications

  • A passion for NHLC’s mission.
  • Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
  • License in good standing to practice law, preferably in HI
  • Demonstrate commitment to social justice, with a desire to increase access to justice for disaster survivors and achieve results
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • An ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting to facilitate a coordinated community response and provide holistic services to clients.
  • The desire and ability to work as part of a diverse and inclusive team, and to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Previous legal services experience, including civil legal aid, law school clinics, and/or internships.
  • Prior disaster related legal experience.
  • Experience with delivering training and presentations.
  • Knowledge of and/or interest in Native Hawaiian communities, culture, language, lands, and waters.
  • Experience practicing Native Hawaiian and/or indigenous law and human rights.
  • Experience serving Native Hawaiian and/or indigenous communities.

Work Environment: Work is performed primarily indoors. Employee will be in contact with chemicals and materials normally found in office environments. Employee will be exposed to low to moderate levels of noise and distraction. Employee may be required to walk to various agencies to conduct research and may be exposed to city pollution, sunlight, heat, humidity, and inclement weather. As needed, employee may conduct outdoor site visits to locations relevant to client matters. Access to some outdoor sites may require employee to follow established federal, state, and/or county government recommendations regarding donning proper personal protective equipment (PPE) due to potential air quality and hazardous materials in the area. Employees must comply with all recommendations and minimize visits to those areas.

Benefits

  • Medical and dental insurance.
  • Generous combined leave and holiday policy.
  • Flexible hybrid-work policy.
  • After 1 year of employment, 401(k) contribution plan with employer matching.

Job opportunity: Assistant General Counsel

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Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
Fort McDowell, AZ

DEFINITION/PURPOSE:

Provide legal advice to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council, tribal departments and economic enterprises. Represent the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in matters brought in Tribal, State and Federal court.

TASKS:

Serves as legal advisor to the Tribal Council, tribal government departments and economic enterprises; Provides legal advice and analysis of tribal, state and Federal laws and regulations, specifically in relation to water and environmental law and policies; Drafts and revises the Tribal Constitution, Law and Order Code, other tribal laws, ordinances, and policies; Works at hours and times outside of normal business hours and days; Drafts, reviews and recommends changes to various contracts; Reviews other agreements, proposals; Represents the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in Tribal, State and Federal court actions; Performs other duties as assigned or required.

CLOSE DATE: March 26, 2024

For full job description and to apply, click here.

Call for articles: Special Indian Law edition of the Arizona Attorney 2024

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Deadline: February 23, 2024

The Indian Law Section is soliciting proposals for articles to be included in the 2024 special Indian Law edition of the Arizona Attorney magazine. The proposal should focus on an issue of interest to those who practice Indian Law.

Past articles from the 2023 Indian Law edition were:

Bones in Contention:

A Journey and a Cautionary Tale
BY: SHERRY HUTT

Up Shit Creek Looking for a Paddle
BY: M. KATHRYN HOOVER

Protecting Indigenous Sacred Places
BY: OLGA SYMEONOGLOU

The Trouble With the Tribal Law and Order Act
BY: CHRISTINA RINNERT

Avoiding Alphabet Soup in Your Legal Writing
BY: HON. KYLE FIELDS

Indian Law From Behind the Bench, Edition 2
BY: ALEXANDER MALLORY

Additional past articles from the
2022 Indian Law edition

See more

Either a short or a long article may be proposed. Generally, a long article will be between 2,000 and 2,500 words (in a Microsoft Word document, about 9 to 12 pages including endnotes) and will be about 3 to 4 pages in the magazine. A short article will be approximately 1,500 words and typically will be 2 pages in the magazine.

The proposal should provide the following information: author’s name and contact information (e-mail address, phone number, and name of employer/firm); the subject matter of the article (e.g., ICWA, NAGPRA, Water Rights, Land Use, Tribal Sovereignty, Gaming, etc.); the anticipated title; and a concise summary of the thesis of the article. 

Proposal authors will be notified on whether their proposed article has been accepted by March 1, 2024. The draft of the article for a selected proposal will be due on April 12, 2024. Final drafts of selected articles are due by May 10, 2024.

If you would like to submit a proposal or if you have questions, please contact:

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: 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