Staff Attorney

California Indian Legal Services; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

California Indian Legal Services, Southern Office in Escondido, CA, seeks a Staff Attorney to advance Federal Indian law matters for California tribes and Indian organizations. You will handle brief counsel, court litigation, and advisory work across jurisdiction, tax, estate planning, tribal governance, and ICWA contexts.

The role requires a JD and CA bar in good standing, and a commitment to delivering high-quality legal services to Native American communities.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active California bar membership in good standing.
• Excellent written and oral communication, with strong organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel overnight and work flexible hours as tribal councils meet.

Responsibilities

• Provide civil and criminal Federal Indian law services to low-income tribal clients.
• Engage in state and federal court litigation, contracts, and tribal governance matters.
• Develop and implement tribal constitutions, codes, and policies; advise tribal clients and communities.

Skills

Excellent communication

Strong writing skills

Team collaboration

Education

J.D. and CA bar

Job description

Program Description

Founded in 1967, California Indian Legal Services (CILS) is the oldest public interest Indian rights law firm in the country, promoting the fundamental rights of California Tribes and Indians through litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, community development, and other strategies for systemic change. CILS provides a full range of legal representation to California Indian Tribes and Indian organizations, advocates for the rights of California Indians at the local, state, and national levels, and provides direct services and community education to low-income Native American individuals on issues related to Federal Indian Law and Tribal law. Currently, CILS offers services statewide and maintains four offices throughout California – Eastern (Bishop), Southern (Escondido), Northern (McKinleyville), and Central (Sacramento). This position is in the Southern Office, located in Escondido, CA. For additional information about CILS, go to our website at www.calindian.org.

Role Description

Supervised by the Directing Attorney, the Staff Attorney will work collaboratively with other staff to provide exceptional legal services in all areas of Federal Indian law. Our fast-paced office provides legal services on issues of jurisdiction, tax, estate planning, trust assets, environmental law, natural resource development, tribal governance, employment, and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The Staff Attorney will assume a varied caseload that may include: brief counsel and services to low-income Indian individuals; state and federal court litigation; contract negotiation; advising tribal clients; developing and implementing constitutions, codes, and policies for tribal clients; and making community presentations. The Staff Attorney will be expected to appear on behalf of tribal clients in state dependency actions where the ICWA is applicable. Staff Attorney client development responsibilities include developing and maintaining effective relationships with tribes and Indian organizations in the service territory, including all funding sources, and ensuring that the office pursues and secures meaningful opportunities to work with tribes, Indian organizations, and Indian individuals throughout the service territory. Client development includes all CILS funding sources (grants, contracts, donations, etc.).

Required Qualifications

• J.D. and California bar membership in good standing.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal Indian law with at least 1-3 years of experience practicing law.
• Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Strong work ethic and able to work nights and weekends when many Tribal councils meet.
• Ability to travel overnight and a valid driver’s license.
• Solid understanding of Native Americans and Tribes in California.
• A commitment to providing high-quality legal services for Native Americans.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and to take initiative.

Preferred Qualifications

• Legal Services and/or Nonprofit legal work experience.
• Experience working with Native Americans, Tribes, or tribal communities.
• Deep connection and commitment to the CILS mission and tribal communities.