Senior Tribal Counsel for the Chair

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

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