TO Associate General Counsel

Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe; Mount Pleasant (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401K with 4% match

Paid holidays

Telework 2 days/week

Job summary

Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe in Michigan seeks a licensed attorney to provide a broad range of legal services for the Tribe and its enterprises. The role encompasses contract, employment, gaming, taxation, and environmental matters, with opportunities to draft legislation and represent the Tribe in court.

Under Senior Associate General Counsel supervision, you will draft policies, review agreements, conduct legal research, and advise Tribal leadership, while maintaining strict confidentiality

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Michigan or eligible for Michigan licensure within six months.
• Experience as a practicing attorney.
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage time effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide general legal services to the tribe and its enterprises across contract, employment, administrative, real estate, gaming, taxation, environmental, and legislative matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, leases, and policies to protect tribal interests.
• Prepare litigation documents and represent the tribe in state, federal, or tribal courts.
• Conduct legal research, prepare memoranda, and advise on regulatory compliance and Tribal Council priorities.
• Maintain confidentiality and provide professional, courteous service to internal and external clients.

Job description

Open to the Public

Full-Time

8/11/26-OUF

Days and Shifts: 1st Shift, Flexible Hours Possible Telework 2 days a Week

Eligible Employer for Public Student Loan Forgiveness as a non-profit

SCIT recognizes that work-life balance is essential in day to day operations. Our Flexible Schedule and Telework options for employees make it possible to balance the needs of your family while still being on track at work. Flexible Schedule and Telework options are based on the departments need. The Tribe is a community based organization and we understand your family life is important, it’s important to us too.

Here are some of the benefits our team members get working for the Tribe: 16 Paid Holidays off include: New Year’s Day, M.L. King Jr. Day, President's Day, Easter Monday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, SCIT National Holiday, Labor Day, Michigan Indian Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. We never miss those special moments with our children, family & friends due to working.

Our paid time off accruals for annual and sick leave are as followed: 0-3 years of service = 2 hours of annual & sick per 40 hours worked; 3-9 years of service = 3 hours of annual & sick per 40 hours worked; 10 years or more of service = 4 hours of annual & sick per 40 hours worked. Plus you get 16 hours of personal time per calendar year (prorated based on your start date, resets every Jan.1). We also have Bereavement, Longevity, Fitness, and maternity/paternity leave.

Full Time employees get Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance. Flex Spending accounts, Teladoc, life insurance, accidental death, Long Term Disability, Aflac, and 401K which SCIT matches up to 4%.

Prescription plan with free fills on most generic brands when using our Cardinal Pharmacy.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of Senior Associate General Counsel, provide general legal services to the tribe and its enterprises in a broad variety of matters including: contract law, employment law, administrative law, real estate transactions, Indian gaming regulation, taxation, jurisdiction disputes, environmental law, cultural resource preservation, child welfare, and drafting legislation consistent with representation provided by the General Counsel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review and recommend actions on a wide range of complex legal issues for Tribal Administration and Tribal Operations.
• Prepare and review contracts, agreements, leases, rights of way and similar documents in order to maintain the best legal interest of the tribe.
• Draft policies and procedures for government departments and entities.
• Study federal legislation, federal regulations, constitutions, statutes, decisions and ordinances of judicial bodies.
• Conduct research on assigned legal matters; draft legal memorandums summarizing results and legal conclusions.
• Assist in negotiating contracts, purchases and other agreements maintaining the best legal and financial interests of the tribe.
• Develop, draft, and amend ordinances as directed by Tribal Council.
• Prepare and present litigation documents for tribal, state, or federal court hearings and trials.
• Provide excellent customer service for all internal and external customers of the operations at all times. Provide solutions for customer concerns and continually focus on customer service as our top priority.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality and present a positive, professional demeanor and image at all times.
• The above duties and responsibilities are not an all-inclusive list but rather a general representation of the duties and responsibilities associated with this position. The duties and responsibilities will be subject to change based on organizational needs and/or deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Contacts/Purpose of Contacts:

• Substantial contact with members of Tribal Council, Executive Council, CEO, CFO, Tribal Administrator, Department Directors and Managers, Attorneys representing the Tribe as outside counsel, vendor representatives, community members and members of the general public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school.
• Experience as a practicing attorney.
• Ability to follow direction and to work collaboratively with groups or individuals.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan; or must be licensed in another state and become licensed in the State of Michigan following the next available bar exam; or by reciprocity no later than six months after date of hire. If not licensed in any state, then must become licensed in the State of Michigan following the next available bar exam.
• Must be able to pass background check to meet the employment eligibility requirements as they pertain to the position.
• If terminated from any previous position held as an attorney then the applicant must demonstrate that such termination was made without cause or that the reasons for termination would not adversely impact the duties and responsibilities herein.

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with federal Indian law.

License, Certification, or Special Requirements:

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan.
• Native American preference shall apply to all positions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge in preparing and representing basic to moderate civil law cases before federal, state and tribal courts.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including Windows programs.
• Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational and financial reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to analyze and prepare a wide variety of legal documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of sensitivity to community issues and concerns.
• Ability to interpret applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, requirements, ordinances, and legislation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict time lines.

Physical Demands:

• Frequent use of hands, wrists, fingers associated with computer equipment.
• Required to sit for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally walk and stand.
• Normal visual acuity, ability to talk and hear.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

• Normal office environment.
• Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.
• Travel may be required.