Litigation Associate Attorney

Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP; Colorado; On-site; USD 90,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP seeks a Litigation Associate Attorney in Colorado with substantial tribal and federal Indian law experience. The role demands skilled litigation, strategic counseling, and client advocacy across complex matters.

The candidate should have a JD from an ABA-accredited school, be in good standing with the CO bar, and be prepared to travel for hearings and meetings nationwide. In-person work in Louisville, CO is required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active bar in CO or another state in good standing.
• Experience with Indian tribes or tribal entities on litigation, governance, and related issues.
• Familiarity with tribal and federal Indian law.
• Strong analytical, research, and writing abilities.
• Ability to work independently and in teams in a fast-paced setting.
• Willingness to travel to attend hearings and client meetings in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Provide counsel and legal services on litigation matters for new and existing clients.
• Support business development activities to build client relationships and opportunities.
• Apply legal procedures and precedents to counsel clients effectively.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda and pleadings for tribal, federal, and state matters.
• Appear at hearings, trials, depositions, and meetings across forums.
• Draft and analyze legal documents.
• Comply with court, bar, and internal policies.

Skills

Legal reasoning

Litigation

Oral advocacy

Research and writing

Client communication

Travel readiness

Tribal/federal Indian law

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Future Opening: Litigation Associate Attorney

Full Time • Colorado

• 401(k)


• 401(k) matching


• Health insurance


• Paid time off

About Us: Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP is a national law firm dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights of American Indian tribes and organizations. We represent clients in a wide range of matters, including business transactions, litigation, and governmental affairs before tribal, federal, and state courts.

We are a fast-paced, mission-driven firm with offices in Colorado, Washington, D.C., North Dakota, and New Mexico.

Our DC office consists of a number of attorneys working from their home offices.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a Litigation Associate Attorney with experience in tribal and federal Indian law for a full-time, in-person position in our Louisville, Colorado office. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in litigation, with a strong ability to handle complex legal issues, advocate for clients, and provide strategic counsel in both tribal and federal matters. This role offers an excellent opportunity for growth and development in a collaborative and dynamic environment.

Related Experience:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school;


• Status as an active member in good standing of the bar of CO or other state jurisdiction;


• Experience working with Indian tribes or tribal entities on a wide array of legal issues such as litigation, business transitions, jurisdiction, housing, education, tax, finance, gaming, government affairs, energy, natural resources and taxation;


• Familiarity with tribal and federal Indian law;


• Excellent analytical, research, and writing abilities;


• Ability to work well independently and as a team in a fast-paced environment;


• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to attend court or administrative hearings and client meetings at locations throughout the United States; and


• Proven skills in effectively communicating with Tribal clients, courts, opposing counsel, and agency representatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(other duties may be assigned)

• Provide counsel and legal services to new and existing clients on litigation matters as well as represent clients in a professional and expedient manner;


• Participate in business development functions (conferences, seminars, etc.) as requested to maintain and build client relationships as well as expand business opportunities;


• Apply knowledge of legal procedures and previous cases to effectively counsel clients;


• Conduct legal research by preparing legal memoranda and necessary pleadings required in all aspects of tribal, federal, and state litigation matters;


• Appear at hearings, trials, depositions, interviews, and meetings in all fora;


• Draft and analyze legal documents; and


• Comply with all court, state bar and inter-office policies and procedures.

Your total compensation package will include a competitive salary, bonus potential, participation in the firm 401(K) retirement plan, and a benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs.

Posting Date: September 09, 2026

Un-posting Date: Ongoing

Compensation: $90,000.00 - $126,250.00 per year

OUR MISSION

Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP is a majority native-owned law firm. As tribal advocates, there could be no greater honor or privilege than having the opportunity to directly serve tribes in promoting economic development, addressing pressing infrastructure issues, protecting tribal water rights, and advancing the sovereignty and jurisdiction of tribal nations.

Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP is dedicated to the representation of American Indian tribes, tribal entities, and individual Indians across the United States. Our mission is to provide superior legal services specifically tailored to meet the needs of our clients - while also honoring the sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and self-governance of those clients.

OUR WORK

We serve as General Counsel and Special Counsel to Indian tribal governments and their enterprises to implement their laws, regulations, policies and priorities for their tribes and members. We work as true partners with every level of tribal governments and their staff to effectuate a plan for the delivery of legal services that is appropriate to meet the challenges and demands of the client.

We also work to prevent attacks on tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction, and ensure that the Federal government upholds its treaty and trust responsibilities to Indian tribes. We resolve issues on the local level, in collaboration with national tribal organizations and through advocacy with law makers in Washington, D.C.

CAREERS

If you are pursuing a career in the legal field and have an interest in federal Indian law, consider joining our team at Native Law Group. With offices in Louisville, Colorado, Fort Yates, North Dakota and Washington, D.C., our firm is dedicated to the representation of American Indian tribes, tribal entities, and individual Indians across the United States.

Being part of Native Law Group means you also are part of a powerful nationwide effort to advance the causes of tribal sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and self-governance for the benefit of Tribal Nations.