The Kalispel Tribe is soliciting proposals for contracted services from legal firms or independent attorneys interested in working with the Kalispel Tribal Court (KTC) to provide public defense services. Services are to be provided to persons appointed a public defender by the KTC for criminal proceedings, and to represent parents or young adults who are engaged in ICW dependency and/or guardianship actions in KTC.  The services include, but are not limited to:

• Review reports, complaints and citations issued or filed by the Tribal Prosecutor, Presenting Officer, Public Safety Officers, Probation Officer or other authorized Officer of the KTC.
• Performs investigations through interviews, legal research, reviewing reports and evidence.
• Represents clients by advising clients as to legal and civil rights, choices and consequences and appearing at hearings or trials before the court with client.
• Files legal motions, briefs, memorandums of authority and other documentation as necessary. Negotiates and confers with other counsel, professionals and interested parties to determine the appropriate legal course of action on behalf of clients.
• Assists and advises clients to access appropriate services and to comply with court orders as necessary.
• Performs trial preparation including introducing and examining witnesses, experts and exhibits.
• Prepares for and participates in sentence and dependency review proceedings.
• Prepares and presents appeals of cases when, in the Attorney’s opinion, an appeal is in the interest of justice.
• Maintains high ethical standards and maintains strict confidentiality.

Proposals will be reviewed by the Kalispel Tribal Administrator and those selected may be called for an interview. The Kalispel Tribe reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. Indian Preference shall apply. The contract form shall be a mutually acceptable agreement between the Kalispel Tribe and the law firm or independent Attorney.

Proposals of Professional Qualifications, Fee Schedule and responses to criteria are to be submitted to:

Kalispel Tribe of Indians

Darren Holmes, Tribal Administrator

P.O. Box 39

Usk, WA  99180-0039

All questions concerning this Request for Proposal should be addressed to:

Cathleen Kintner-Christie, Court Administrator

Kalispel Tribal Court

P.O. Box 96

Usk, WA 99180-0096

(509) 445-1664 Ext 7128

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

Contractors must be graduates of an ABA accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate degree and be in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.

Contractors must have working knowledge of federal law pertaining to Indian Country and experience in Tribal Court practice, including tribal codes of law and tribal court jurisdiction.

Contractors must have the flexibility to be available on an on call basis as needed.

Kalispel Tribal Court admission requirements must be met before Contractor will be permitted to practice in court.  Contractor will be required to complete an Application to Practice in Kalispel Tribal Court, submit a Resume´ and letter listing accomplishments and stating why they should be given admission to practice in the Kalispel Tribal Court.

Contractors shall base their contract proposal on the following criteria:

1.         Set hourly fee for consultation.

2.         Set hourly fee structure for court appearances.

3.         Other office staff time, if applicable, at an hourly rate.

4.         Travel cost reimbursement requirements.

5.         Any reimbursable cost associated with the service.

6.         Experience of the attorney with providing public defender services in Tribal Court.

7.         References speaking to the attorney’s qualifications and experience in criminal defense and family law representation, including but not limited to, Indian Child Welfare cases.

8.         Availability and ability to respond in a timely manner to clients and to the Court’s schedule.

9.         Tribal Membership affiliation (if any).

Proposals will be reviewed by the Kalispel Tribal Administrator and those selected may be called for an interview. The Kalispel Tribe reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. Indian Preference shall apply. The contract form shall be a mutually acceptable agreement between the Kalispel Tribe and the law firm or independent Attorney.