Tribal Attorney

Grandresortok; Shawnee (OK); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Citizen Potawatomi Nation seeks a Tribal Attorney to perform duties of tribal attorney general, representing tribal departments, courts, and enterprises; reviewing contracts, litigation, personnel matters, and asset protection under the direction of the Chairman or Vice Chairman. Requires JD from ABA-approved school, 3+ years tribal legal experience, and bar license.

Willingness to be on-site at Tribal Headquarters, Shawnee, OK, with knowledge of sovereignty and government-to-government

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years legal experience representing executive, legislative, and judicial branches of a federally-recognized tribe.
• Licensed to practice law in any state or DC; willing to become licensed in Oklahoma.
• ABA-approved JD required; commitment to sovereignty and government-to-government relations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public.

Responsibilities

• Review contracts.
• Represent the Nation before tribal, federal, and state courts and agencies.
• Assist in personnel actions.
• Assist in preparation of laws and regulations for consideration by the Nation.
• Provide legal research and law clerk services as directed by the Judicial Branch.
• Maintain knowledge of federal, state, and local processes to promote tribal sovereignty and government relations.
• Oversee daily operations of the Legal Department and represent the Tribe in litigation.

Skills

Legal experience

Regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Sovereignty knowledge

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctorate (ABA approved)

Job description

JOB TITLE: Tribal Attorney

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Administration

SUPERVISOR: Chairman/Vice Chairman

FLSA: Salary/Exempt

SALARY: Based on Experience

ALL FULL TIME POSITIONS: In addition to your pay, your salary also includes Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance. The Biweekly deduction from employee paycheck is $40.00 for Employee Only, $95.00 Employee plus Children, $120.00 Employee plus Spouse, and $140.00 Employee plus family.

JOB SUMMARY:

Perform all duties and responsibilities typically handled by a tribal attorney or tribal attorney general and other responsibilities as assigned under the direction of the Chairman or as delegated to the Vice Chairman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. These responsibilities include the legal representation of all tribal departments, courts, and enterprises; reviewing contracts, litigation, personnel matters, asset protection and recovery, personal injury matters, administrative hearings, monitoring and managing outside legal counsel as assigned, assisting in the maintenance of tribal legal files. All work shall be subject to the direction of the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Review contracts.
• Assist in personnel actions.
• Represent the Nation before administrative tribal, federal, and state courts and governmental agencies.
• Assist in the preparation of laws and regulations for the consideration of the Nation’s government.
• Provide legal research and law clerk services as directed by the Judicial Branch subject to the time restraints and administrative concerns of the Nation’s Executive Branch.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the federal, state, and local legislative and administrative processes and promote policy to those working with the Nation to further its interests in tribal sovereignty and government-to-government relationships.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform other duties and projects as directed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
• All employees are required to work at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Festival.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION:

• Must have a minimum of 3 years legal experience with experience providing legal representation to the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of a federally-recognized tribe of American Indians.
• Must have a working knowledge in the following areas of the law: administrative, banking regulation, commercial, contract, criminal, gaming, Native American law, litigation, real estate, tax, and torts.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively with the public.
• Must have a license in good standing to practice law before the highest court of any state or the District of Columbia and be willing to become licensed to practice law in the State Courts of Oklahoma at the earliest possible time not to exceed one year.
• Must have a personal commitment to the maximization of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s sovereignty.
• Must have a personal commitment to advancing the stability of the Nation’s government and the Nation’s economic growth.
• Must advise tribal leaders and officials on issues concerning legal rights, obligations, and privileges.
• Must help oversee the daily operations of the Legal Department and represent the Tribe in litigation and other legal proceedings.
• Must have a Juris Doctorate Law Degree from a law school that has been approved by the American Bar Association.
• Must be willing to office on-site at Tribal Headquarters at 1 DNEKI Drive, Shawnee, OK 74801
• Must be adept with the technology required to conduct a contemporary law practice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to be seated for prolonged periods of time and to do repetitive work at the computer.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Must be capable and willing to work in office, legislative, and courtroom environments.