Category Archives: Alumni

Distinguished professor and executive director hired for Indian Legal Program

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Distinguished professor and executive director hired for Indian Legal Program

01/31/2013
Robert Miller
Gregory Hill
Douglas Sylvester

The College of Law has hired Robert J. Miller, one of the nation’s leading scholars in Indian Law, and Gregory L. Hill, who will serve as Executive Director of the Indian Legal Program.

“We consider our Indian Legal Program the nation’s leading organization devoted to improving the legal systems that affect tribal governments,” said Dean Douglas Sylvester. “The addition of Bob and Greg underscores our commitment not only to providing unique opportunities and experiences to students that relate to Indian law, but also to furthering the Program’s other key objectives, including maintaining and expanding our close relationships with American Indian nations and other native governments and organizations.”

Miller will join the faculty in the fall of 2013. As a professor at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Ore., since 1999, Miller has taught various courses, including Federal Indian Law, American Indians and International Law and Civil Procedure.

He worked at the Stoel Rives law firm from 1992-1995 and practiced Indian law with Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker from 1995-1999. An enrolled citizen of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Miller is Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals of the Grand Ronde Tribe and sits as a judge for other tribes.

He is the author of two books, “Native America, Discovered and Conquered: Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, and Manifest Destiny” and “Reservation Capitalism: Economic Development in Indian Country.” He is also co-author of “Discovering Indigenous Lands: The Doctrine of Discovery in the English Colonies.”

“I am very excited about joining the College of Law and its outstanding Indian Legal Program,” Miller said. “I am looking forward to working with the ASU students, faculty and staff and to enjoying many rewarding intellectual and professional experiences at the College.”

Hill, a practicing attorney for 18 years, has held various leadership positions in the legal profession since 1995. A member of the Oneida Nation, Six Nations of Indians, he most recently served as a capital attorney in the Office of the Public Defender in Tampa, Fla., where he provided legal services to indigent clients.

He is a former deputy director of Stetson University College of Law’s National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law. Additionally, Hill served as Assistant Attorney General in the state of Florida, ran a solo legal practice earlier in his career, and clerked for the general counsel of the Seneca Nation while in law school.

“I am honored to be selected to serve as the executive director of the Indian Legal Program,” Hill said. “The chance to contribute to such a distinguished program, to help our students become better prepared for the future they will encounter, and to directly support the Indian communities will create opportunities that I am eager to pursue.”

The Indian Legal Program was established in 1988 to provide legal education and generate scholarship in the area of Indian law and to undertake public service to tribal governments. It trains students to effectively engage the representation of Native peoples and seeks to promote an understanding of the differences between the legal systems of Indian nations and those of the state and federal governments. The Program is among the most renowned of its kind, and its graduates work at all levels of tribal, state and federal government, as well as in private practice. The Program provides a unique set of academic and clinical opportunities for students and is committed to maintaining strong partnerships with American Indian nations and other native governments and organizations.

Job Posting – Counselor to the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs

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Counselor to the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs
Department:Department Of The Interior
Agency:Office of the Secretary of the Interior
Job Announcement Number:AG-13-PQ824547 (DEU)

SALARY RANGE:

 $105,211.00 to $136,771.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

 Monday, January 14, 2013 to Friday, January 18, 2013

SERIES & GRADE:

 GS-0301-14

POSITION INFORMATION:

 Full Time – Permanent

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

14

DUTY LOCATIONS:

 1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington DC, DC United StatesView Map

WHO MAY APPLY:

 United States Citizens

JOB SUMMARY:

Indian Affairs is the lead agency for the United States in carrying on a government-to-government relationship with the tribal nations. A challenging and dynamic place to work, it enhances the quality of life, promotes economic opportunity, and carries out the responsibility to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians, Indian tribes and Alaska Natives.


This position is located in the Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs in Washington, DC.  The mission of the Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs is to enhance the quality of life, to promote economic opportunity, and to carry out the responsibility to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians, Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives.  The incumbent of this position serves as a Counselor to the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, focusing on maintaining liaison with other offices and bureaus that encompass the Indian Affairs organization.  The incumbent will consult with tribal leaders and communities, departments, congressional committee staffs and others within the private sector to carry out duties.  The role of the incumbent is that of an advisor in policy determining issues and related matters of a confidential and administrative support nature. 

This position is being advertised concurrently with (AG-13-PQ824548) using Merit Promotion procedures.  Status applicants who wish to be considered under both merit promotion and competitive examining procedures must apply directly to each announcement.__________________________________________________________________________________

Who May Apply

  • U.S. Citizens

KEY REQUIREMENTS

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment background investigation
  • Relocation expenses may be paid.
  • Travel may be required.

DUTIES:

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 The major duties of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Coordinates assigned activities to ensure compliance with the Administration’s policies.  Provides coordination, liaison and initial review on matters pertaining to the program areas under the supervisor’s purview.
  • Assignments are complex, important and diversified in scope and may be within any jurisdiction of the Indian Affairs programs.  Assignments may be of a nonrecurring nature, and the incumbent is responsible for research and conducting special studies or surveys of problems, projects, or program implementation.
  • Produces briefings, decision memorandum and background papers on a wide variety of issues, problems or matters.  Develops strategies on sensitive and controversial issues and serves in a confidential capacity on organizational and internal matters.
  • Works with Departmental program and staff officials to assure that projects assigned are coordinated to meet the objectives of Indian Affairs and are ready for action or endorsement by the Assistant Secretary.  Participates in meetings called for the purpose of briefing key officials when assignments will require coordination between two or more program offices.
  • Participates in staff conferences and meetings called by the supervisor.  Contributes to program discussion and developments by citing current status of program involvement.  Notes and follows up on assignments made by the supervisor during these conferences and meetings.
  • Working closely with the top leadership staff of the Indian Affairs organization, the incumbent develops, coordinates, resolves and implements a variety of special projects which may be highly sensitive, confidential and of national importance.  Completes in-depth analysis of issues of importance to top leadership staff within Indian Affairs, which is frequently needed in very short time frames.
  • Follows legislative matters of interest to the Indian Affairs organization and programs to keep the supervisor informed of their status and progress.  Utilizes knowledge of the supervisor’s viewpoints in the general review of proposed legislation in order to highlight and bring to his/her attention those portions of bills which conflict with current Indian Affairs policy.  Recommends policy alternatives to be incorporated as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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 GS-14:  All applicants must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-13), which includes: 1) analyzing proposed legislation and evaluating the impact such legislation may have on one’s organization; 2) preparing, presenting, and defending proposed recommendations, policies, or regulations; 3) developing and delivering verbal presentations to high level officials on sensitive or controversial topics; AND 4) serving as spokesperson or representative for an organization or senior official.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement Friday, January 18, 2013.   Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM’s web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date of Friday, January 18, 2013.  Qualified applicants will be rated based on their possession of the knowledge and experience requirements identified under the “Qualifications” section.  Candidates rated as best qualified will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration.

Category Rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position.  The categories are Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified.  Veterans’ preference rules for category rating will be applied.

  • Analytical Ability
  • Communication
  • Knowledge of legal research procedures, methods, and sources

Selective Service:  If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.


Public Interest Indian Law Fellowship Program

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Public Interest Indian Law Fellowship Programs

Berkey Williams LLP (Berkeley, CA)

Position Type:  Fellowship

Practice Area(s): Indian/Native American

Geographic Preference(s): West (CA, HI, NV, UT, CO, MT, WY)

Description: Berkey Williams Public Interest Indian Law Fellowship

Berkey Williams LLP (BW) established the Public Interest Indian Law Fellowship Program in 2005. The aims of the Fellowship are to encourage recent law graduates to work in the field of Indian law and to provide the Fellows with an opportunity to pursue public interest projects in Indian country. The Fellow is encouraged to develop innovative legal strategies for projects which may not traditionally be feasible endeavors for a private law firm. The Firm’s intent is to provide bright, creative law graduates with the time and resources to tackle public interest, social justice, and related issues in Indian country. The Fellowship intends to contribute to the development of public interest Indian law leaders of the future, whatever their career paths might be.

About Berkey Williams

The firm is a private, for-profit partnership with a significant public interest focus. The firm has three attorneys and two paralegals in Berkeley, California, one attorney in Washington, DC, one attorney in Bozeman, Montana, two attorneys in New York, and one attorney in New Mexico. The firm works exclusively for Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and currently has clients throughout the United States. Natural resources protection, environmental justice, water and fishing rights, recovery of ancestral lands, tribal sovereignty, self-governance, economic development, Indian child welfare, employment, and health care are representative areas of work. The Firm’s work is funded primarily by its fee-paying tribal clients, as well as generous contributions from private foundations. More information may be found at the firm’s web site: www.berkeywilliams.com.

 About the Fellowship

The one-year Fellowship offers a competitive salary, full benefits, training, flexibility in balancing work and a private life, and the opportunity to work with experienced attorneys in an established firm focused exclusively on serving Indian tribes and tribal organizations. The Fellow will work in the California office. The Fellowship begins in September, 2013, with some flexibility depending upon the candidate’s schedule. Berkey Williams is committed to recruiting attorneys who will bring a variety of experiences to the firm’s clients, and to supporting them by providing the resources necessary to building a strong career in Indian law.

The projects on which a Fellow might work are subject to the creativity of the Fellow and the needs or demands of a particular client tribe or tribal organization. In the past, the Berkey Williams Fellow has worked for organized but unrecognized California tribes seeking to protect cultural sites threatened by land development, and tribes whose children are subject to state juvenile dependency proceedings. The Firm’s public interest and pro bono work includes projects intended to protect cultural sites, promote Indian-organized educational institutions, connect Indian communities to electric and telecommunications grids, recover ancestral lands, expand economic development opportunities for tribes, and others.

Qualifications and Selection Criteria

Applications are encouraged from recent law graduates with a demonstrated commitment to Indian law. Preference is given to candidates, both Indian and non-Indian, who demonstrate personal or professional experience and identification with Indian communities. High academic achievements are certainly considered, but they are weighed with other equally significant factors: personal accomplishments, professional goals, cultural competence, and the capacity to work conscientiously and independently as needed. Candidates with interest in specific public interest projects are encouraged to bring their proposals to the firm. Candidates are encouraged to seek their own funding as well, as the firm’s ability to offer the fellowship is contingent on funding. Membership in the California Bar, or the Bar of another state, though not essential, is a significant factor in the firm’s evaluation of candidates.

Applying for the Fellowship

Interested law graduates should send a resume and a writing sample to Gloria Coronado, Administrative Assistant, at gcoronado@berkeywilliams.com. If you have any questions, please email. Deadline to apply is January 31, 2013.

Desired Class Level:  RECENT GRADS

Posting Date: December 17, 2012

Expiration Date: January 31, 2013

Contact: Gloria Coronado, Administrative Assistant

2030 Addison Street Suite 410 Berkeley, California 94704 United States

Sample Page

Resume Receipt:  E-mail, Other (see below)

Default email for resumes.: gcoronado@berkeywilliams.com

How to Apply:

Interested law graduates should send a resume and a writing sample to Gloria Coronado, Administrative Assistant, at gcoronado@berkeywilliams.com. If you have any questions, please email. Deadline to apply is January 31, 2013.

Additional Documents:

Writing Sample, Other Documents

 ID: 21907

Whose Sovereignty? Tribal Citizenship, Federal Indian Law, and Globalization

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Please join us for the Sixth Annual William C. Canby Jr. Lecture!   Your RSVP is greatly appreciated.  RSVP online at: canbylecture2013.eventbrite.com or call Darlene Lester at 480-965-7715.  Please provide your email address to receive tickets and parking information.