Executive Services Attorney

Petoskey Chamber; Michigan; On-site; USD 103,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) match

13 Holidays

PTO

Parental leave

Cultural leave

Wellness and Educational leave

and more

Job summary

The Office of the Executive Services Attorney at Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians provides legal advice to the Tribal Chair and supports the Executive Branch in accordance with LTBB statutes. The role ensures impartial policy stances, protects attorney work product and attorney‑client relationships, and serves as the Tribal Chair’s attorney in court actions.

Essential duties include legal research, drafting regulations and reports, advising on constitution interpretation, negotiating

Qualifications

• Must be a licensed attorney in Michigan within 12 months if not already licensed there.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in Tribal and Federal Indian law.
• Strong knowledge of LTBB history, culture, laws and traditions.
• Proficiency with legal research methods and databases.
• Ability to interpret statutes, ordinances and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and provide advice on community interests, sovereignty, taxation, health, personnel, civil litigation, business law and related areas.
• Assist drafting and interpretation of regulations, resolutions, policies, veto statements, statutes and reports per policy objectives.
• Provide legal counsel to the Tribal Chair.
• Support Executive Departments, Boards, Commissions, and Committees as directed by the Tribal Chair.
• Prepare legal and technical correspondence for the Tribal Chair.
• Advise on LTBB Constitution interpretation and legislation, regulations, resolutions, or policies.
• Advise in negotiations with federal, state, local and tribal entities on law, gaming, development, treaty rights, and related litigation.
• Study proposed federal/state legislation and regulations to assess impact on Tribe’s interests.
• Research and advise on agreements, proposals and contracts.

Skills

Legal research

Statutory interpretation

Confidentiality

Written and oral communication

Problem solving

Multitasking

Relationship building

Legal analysis

Education

Licensed attorney in Michigan

8 years’ Tribal and Federal Indian law experience

Knowledge of LTBB laws and traditions

Legal research software and databases

Ability to interpret statutes and ordinances

Tools

Westlaw

Lexis

Microsoft Word

Excel

Online legal research

Job description

Job Title: Office of the Executive Services Attorney

Reports to: Tribal Chairperson

Salary Range: $103,209.60 to $193,523.20 Annually ($49.62 to $93.04 per hour )

Status: Exempt

Level: GE

Opens: October 05, 2026

SUMMARY:

The primary function of the Office of the Executive Services Attorney is to provide legal advice to the Tribal Chair and assist the Tribal Chair in carrying out the duties of the Executive Branch in accordance with the Office of the Executive Services Attorney Statute. The Office shall maintain impartiality of Executive policy to be determined by the Tribal Chair and shall not advocate the adoption or rejection of any policy decision. The Office shall maintain attorney work product protections and the attorney client relationship with respect to all communications between it and the Tribal Chair and shall serve as the attorney for the Tribal Chair in any court action.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct legal research and provide advice related to Community interests, tribal sovereignty, tribal jurisdiction, taxation, membership, health and human resources, law enforcement, human resources/personnel matters, civil litigation, commercial transactions, business law and/or other areas.
• Assist in the drafting and interpretation of regulations, resolutions, policies, veto statements, statutes and accompanying reports in accordance with the policy objectives of the Tribal Chair.
• Provide legal counsel and services upon request of the Tribal Chair.
• Provide legal counsel and support to the Executive Departments and Commissions, Boards, and Committees as directed by the Tribal Chair.
• Assist in the preparation of legal and technical correspondence for the Tribal Chair.
• Objectively advise the Tribal Chair on interpretation of the LTBB Constitution and any legislation, regulations, resolutions, or policies set forth by Tribal Council.
• Objectively advise the Tribal Chair in negotiations with federal, state, local and tribal government entities; on issues related to federal, state, and tribal law and administrative actions, governmental administration, gaming regulation, economic development, reserved Treaty rights, Indian Child Welfare, and any litigation involving these or other areas.
• Study and advise the Tribal Chair on proposed and enacted federal and state legislation and regulations to determine potential effects on the Tribe’s interests.
• Research and advise Tribal Chair on agreements, proposals, and contracts.
• Other duties as assigned.
• EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
• Must be a licensed attorney to practice law in the state of Michigan or an attorney who possesses a license to practice law in another state and obtains a license to practice law in the state of Michigan within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Must have 8 years’ experience with Tribal and Federal Indian law.
• Knowledge of the history, culture, laws, rules, customs and traditions of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
• Knowledge of legal research methods, legal research software, and use of databases.
• Skilled in interpreting and applying statutes, ordinances and other laws.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must be able to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
• Computer skills include Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Excel, PowerPoint, and on-line legal research such as Westlaw and Lexis, and the ability to utilize e-mail, Internet, fax, and other types of office equipment and file management programs.
• Must have the ability to take appropriate action in stressful or emergency situations.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret public law through writing or oral communication and explain complicated legal concepts in a manner that is understandable.
• Must have excellent skills in effective and professional communication and relationship building.
• Must possess the ability to solve problems and think creatively in situations where limited examples and information are available.
• Must be able to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of principles of management and record keeping.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Must possess a valid driver’s license, have reliable transportation, and be insurable by LTBB’s carrier for duration of employment.

COMMENTS:

Indian preference will apply (Preference will be given to qualified Native American applicants in accordance with the LTBB Indian Preference Statute). Position is contingent upon completing and passing a comprehensive background check. Must have a good work history with LTBB, if previously employed by the Tribe.

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) match, 13 Holidays, PTO, Parental, Cultural, Wellness and Educational leave, and more!

ABOUT US:

On Sept. 21, 1994, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) was federally reaffirmed with the signing of Public Law 103-324. The Tribe is governed by a nine-member Tribal Council. The LTBB Government presently employs over 200 Native and Non-Native employees across more than 20 departments, ranging from Healthcare to Natural Resources.

Additional Postings available from Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians