Staff Attorney - Government

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is seeking a Staff Attorney to advise the Tribal government, its operations and business enterprises. The role focuses on governance, regulatory compliance, and risk minimization across tribal and enterprise matters.

The attorney will support complex transactions, prepare foundational documents, and collaborate with leadership and external groups to address evolving legal issues within a dynamic tribal government environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of legal work experience.
• Experience working with tribal government is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Counsel leadership on governance, regulatory compliance, and enterprise transactions.
• Support complex commercial transactions including real estate and fee trust activities.
• Prepare legal documents: tribal laws, resolutions, by-laws, meeting minutes and other enterprise documents.
• Participate in state and national attorney work groups on federal Indian law matters.
• Address tribal, federal, and state regulatory requirements.
• Assist in providing risk management recommendations to minimize exposure.

Skills

Discretion with confidential info

Education

Juris Doctorate from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Under the direction of the Managing Attorney- Government, the Staff Attorney provides legal advice to the Tribal government, Tribal government operations and the Tribal government’s business enterprises. Assists in counseling all levels of leadership in diverse issues related to governance and transactions, Tribal government operations and the Tribal government’s business enterprises. Provides recommendations to minimize legal and financial exposure. Assures best practices to address emerging legal and business issues related to the Tribal government, Tribal government operations and the Tribal government’s business enterprises.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists in counseling all levels of leadership and team members in diverse issues related to Tribal government and enterprise operations, including governance, litigation, and transactional matters, assessing risk management issues, and advising on legal regulatory compliance matters. Provides recommendations to leadership to minimize legal/financial exposure and assuring best practices and timely updates to address emerging legal and business issues. Provides legal support to environmental, education, cultural resources, grants and other enterprise departments.
• Provides support for complex commercial transactions and relationships including real estate transactions, and fee trust acquisitions and dispositions. Assists in due diligence in various transactions and in thinking through strategic and tactical decisions with various departments and divisions.
• Assists in advising the leadership of the Tribal government, Tribal government operations and the Tribal government’s business enterprises on governance and compliance issues.
• Prepares legal documents related in support of Tribal entities including Tribal laws, resolutions, by-laws, meeting minutes, and other enterprise documents.
• Assists in participating in state and national attorney work groups on matters related to federal Indian law issues, including transactional, governance, litigations, and contractual matters.
• Addresses Tribal, Federal, and State regulatory agency requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the Legal Department.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited law school required. Minimum three (3) years of legal work experience required. Experience working with tribal government 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 our 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.