Civil Attorney

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Pablo (MT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Tribal Defenders provide public defender services to indigent tribal members in tribal court. They represent adults in criminal court, youth in youth court, parents in child protection, and guardians in mental health matters, using a client-centered, interdisciplinary approach.

The office emphasizes cultural mentoring, case management, and holistic defense, aiming to address both casework and collateral consequences while serving a resilient community

Qualifications

• Must have strong legal research and writing skills.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with native clients and the native community.
• Must be willing to work within a team and serve the needs of public defender clients.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Communication with clients (tribal)

Team collaboration

Cultural competency

Education

Montana Bar admission or eligibility

Tools

Case management software

Job description

The Tribal Defenders provide public defender services to indigent tribal members in tribal court. In addition to representation of adults in criminal court, youth in youth court, parents in child protection proceedings, and respondents in adult protection and mental health matters, the Tribal Defenders provide services that address the issues that bring their clients into the justice system and those collateral consequences to criminal charges and convictions. Utilizing a client-centered and interdisciplinary approach, the Tribal Defenders offer psychological services, case management, civil and pro se assistance, driver's license restoration, cultural mentoring, the Flathead Reservation Reentry Program and permanent supportive housing at the Morning Star.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Montana or eligible for licensure in Montana. In that circumstance, hire would be contingent upon Montana licensure.
• Must have knowledge of the social and cultural lifestyles of the reservation community and be able to communicate effectively with native clients and the native community.
• Must have a high volume of cases in an extremely fast-paced atmosphere. This includes the ability to think on one's feet in a pressured situation and to perform under stress, but also do the necessary preparation work all with effective assistance to clients as a priority.
• A sense of humor also goes a long way.
• Must have strong legal research and writing skills.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively with clients from a tribal community and those with mental health and substance use disorders.
• Must have a demonstrated commitment to justice for marginalized citizens.
• Must learn and apply the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Code.
• Must have a working knowledge of Indian law.
• Must be willing to prepare correspondence and court documents with limited assistance from clerical staff.
• Must be proficient in the use of and computer-based case management software.
• Must work well within a team and be willing to do what is necessary in order to serve the needs of public defender clients, including cross training in other areas of law and within the Defenders' interdisciplinary team.
• Must be committed to the holistic defense model that is innovative, client-centered, and team based. Holistic defense focuses on the client in the context of their community.
• Must have a demonstrated interest in working with the disenfranchised, the criminally accused, and those suffering from mental illness and addiction, knowing that clients of the Tribal Defenders Office are resilient
• and capable of change.