Sr Staff Attorney - Government

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation seeks a Senior Staff Attorney – Government to provide legal counsel to Tribal leadership and its enterprises on Federal Indian law, tribal governance, gaming, and regulatory matters.

The role emphasizes drafting governance documents, advising on legislation, and ensuring compliance across departments. A Juris Doctor and five years of licensed practice are required, with tribal gaming experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Requires Juris Doctor degree and bar admission (California preferred).
• Experience advising Tribal government and gaming matters is highly desired.
• Minimum five years as a licensed attorney; litigation experience in Federal Indian law or tribal gaming preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to Tribal leadership and enterprise executives on Tribal law, gaming, regulatory compliance, and governance.
• Draft Tribal laws, regulations, policies, notices, resolutions, by-laws, meeting minutes, and other governance documents.
• Advise on Federal, State regulatory requirements and proposed legislation; participate in relevant attorney groups.
• Ensure timely updates and best practices addressing legal and operational issues for the Tribal government and enterprises.
• Support due diligence in transactions and assist other departments as needed.

Skills

Legal analysis

Discretion & confidentiality

Counsel leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited law school)

Job description

Under the direction of the VP Associate General - Government, the Senior Staff Attorney – Government provides legal advice and support to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (YSMN) and its instrumentalities and enterprises on emerging issues related to the Tribal government and its economic development ventures. Provides recommendations for and assists with a broad array of areas as directed from the VP Associate General Counsel – Government and implements best practices to address emerging legal and business issues related to the Tribal government and its economic development ventures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides recommendations to Tribal leadership and enterprise executives to minimize legal/financial exposure of the Tribal government and its economic development enterprises. Assists in counseling all levels of leadership, and team members in diverse areas related to the Tribal government and its economic development operations. Focuses on areas including but not limited to Tribal law and governance, Federal Indian law, Tribal and commercial gaming, regulatory compliance, intergovernmental affairs, political matters, administrative rule making, litigation, and other legal issues as directed.
• Analyzes and drafts Tribal laws, regulations, policies, notices, and other documents in coordination with and in support of other Tribal departments and entities. Prepares legal documents related to Tribal entity governance, including resolutions, by-laws, meeting minutes, and other enterprise documents.
• Addresses Tribal, Federal, and State regulatory agency applicability and requirements. Advises on proposed and existing legislation and participates in drafting proposed State and Federal legislation. Assists in participating in State and national attorney work groups on matters related to Federal Indian law and gaming law issues, including legislative and litigation matters.
• Assures best practices and timely updates to address emerging legal and operational issues related to the Tribal government and its economic development ventures. Assists in due diligence in various transactions through strategic thinking and tactical decisions with various departments and economic developments.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Juris Doctor from an American Bar Association accredited law school required. Studies in federal Indian law and tribal or commercial gaming preferred. Minimum - five (5) years of experience as a licensed attorney required. Experience working as an attorney at a law firm is preferred. Extensive litigation experience in the areas of Federal Indian law, tribal gaming, and/or commercial gaming is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Must have demonstrated ability exercising utmost discretion with confidential information.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS

At the discretion of the San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission, you may be required to obtain and maintain a gaming license. As a condition of employment with the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Legal Department, incumbents are required to undergo and successfully pass pre-employment and annual post-employment background investigation including, but not limited to, Live-Scan fingerprinting, drug screening and criminal history background check. Must be a member of the California Bar in good standing

NO Driving Responsibilities

Role does not require a driver’s license or insurance.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ WORKING CONDITIONS – ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and working environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters and must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Primary work environment is in a climate-controlled office setting. Work requires travel to attend meetings, trade shows, and conferences. Incumbents may be required to work evening, weekend and holiday shifts. Must be able to work in a fast-paced, high-demand environment. Strength sufficient to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects and/or move up to 40 pounds occasionally. Sedentary work: involves sitting most of the time. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Physical activities that apply to the essential functions of the position are balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Hearing sufficient to hear conversational levels in person, via videoconference and over the telephone. Speech sufficient to make oneself heard and understood in person, in front of groups, in meetings, via videoconference and over the telephone. Visual acuity that meets the requirements of the position: The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading and visual inspection of employees, visitors or facility. Mobility sufficient to safely move in an office environment, walk, stoop, bend and kneel, and enter, exit and operate a motor vehicle in the course of travel to promotional events, meetings, conferences, trade shows and San Manuel properties. Endurance sufficient to sit, walk and stand for extended periods, and maintain efficiency throughout the entire work shift and during extended work hours. The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles including secondhand smoke. Reasonable accommodation will be made in compliance with all applicable law.

As one of the largest private employers in the Inland Empire, San Manuel deeply cares about the future, growth and well-being of its employees. Join our team today! San Manuel is one of the largest employers in California’s Inland Empire. Managing one of the world’s busiest casinos, our many restaurants, and a fully functioning tribal government means we can offer an incredibly wide range of professional and support positions. Each is an opportunity to learn, grow and contribute to a better future for all of us. Your commitment to San Manuel is matched by your commitment to you. We offer a Total Rewards package of monetary, benefits and development rewards to individuals who meet and exceed specific goals. These programs support our pay-for-performance philosophy.