Monday, June 27, 2011

Rodina Cave - New Job

Rodina Cave (’01) recently joined the Sutin Thayer & Brown law firm in Albuquerque, NM. Rodina has extensive experience in the areas of Indian Law and complex litigation. She has represented Indian tribes and tribal entities in administrative and regulatory proceedings, in environmental matters, on tribal governance issues and on economic development projects. Rodina currently chairs the Indian Law Section of the New Mexico State Bar and serves as adjunct faculty at the University of New Mexico School of Law.Congratulations! http://www.sutinfirm.com/lawyer.asp?rcc

Friday, June 24, 2011

Job Posting - Kalispel Judge

Presiding Judge
Job Req # 2414
Opened Date: 06/16/2011
Positions Available: 1 FT
Shifts: Days
Starting Pay: $DOE
Location: Usk
This position is 32 hours per week but is benefitted as full time.

Summary of Functions

The Presiding Judge serves as the head of the Tribal Court, overseeing court operations and the disposition of cases. The Presiding Judge ensures the impartial administration of justice and discharges duties in accordance with the Kalispel Tribal Constitution, laws, codes, ordinances and regulations. The Judge Chairs internal judges’ meetings and serves as liaison to the Kalispel Business Committee (KBC) on judicial concerns.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Fairly and impartially hears and decides judicial matters within the jurisdiction of the Kalispel Tribal Court (Court), pursuant to the Kalispel Tribal Constitution, Tribal Codes and the policies and procedures of the Court.
• Supervises and oversees Court operations, including the assignment of cases to traditional or associate judges, case management and the timeliness of decisions.
• Hears and renders decisions for all types of cases filed in the Court, including but not limited to, criminal, traffic, civil, juvenile and child welfare cases.
• Reviews case files and pleadings; presides at pre-conferences, hearings and trials; conducts legal research and writes decisions; issues search and seizure warrants, arrest warrants and court orders, including orders of protection.
• Works with the Court Administrator to set the Court docket, to develop and manage the Court operating budget, and to develop Court programs and grants.
• Ensures the availability of judges by phone, 24 hours per day / 365 days per year, to hear requests for extradition, emergency child placements, search and bench warrants and other orders of an immediate nature.
• Applies fair concepts and procedures of justice, including working closely with the Chief (traditional) Judge, Associate Judge(s) or Judge Pro Tem(s) to incorporate the principles of Kalispel Tribal traditions and culture.
• Works collaboratively on the development of alternate dispositions for juvenile cases, with the development of alternative dispute resolution procedures and the development of Kalispel Tribal common law.
• Works collaboratively on the development of rules of evidence, bench book, and civil and criminal procedures.
• Works with the Tribal Legal Department and the Chief of Public Safety to ensure the establishment of contracts for jail and detention facilities, the establishment of full faith and credit agreements with state and tribal courts, the development of SORNA related procedures and other necessary development for implementation of other codes.
• Ensures the maintenance of a court record system and oversees maintenance of the Court library.
• Keeps current on laws and issues that impact the Court, to include continuing legal and judicial education, and makes recommendations to the Kalispel Business Committee for amendments or adoption of laws (codes) to improve tribal jurisprudence.
• Serves as an advocate and educator for the Kalispel Tribal Court System within the Tribe as well as locally, regionally and nationally.
• As appropriate, professionally represents the Tribe in negotiation or mediation sessions, public and private meetings, and at consultations or conferences.
• Participates in local, regional and national professional associations.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The incumbent directly supervises the Court Administrator (may also supervise other Court staff) in accordance with the Tribe’s policies, procedures and applicable law. Other responsibilities included are interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.



Education, Experience and Skills Required:
• A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school is required. (WA Bar license is required)
• A minimum of ten years experience as a practicing attorney and a minimum of five years of judicial experience or a combination thereof is required. Direct experience as a judge is required.
• Experience as a tribal judge and/or practice in the field of Indian Law with knowledge of sovereignty issues, is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Tribal, Federal, and State laws, of the Tribal Court legal process and working knowledge of tribal codes, traditions and customs is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legal practices and standards, and court procedures.
• Experience that demonstrates the ability to make judgments in an independent, responsible and impartial manner is required.
• Must be fully conversant in the complexities of criminal and civil law in general; and in the complexities of both statutory and case law of federal Indian law in particular.
• Must possess strong management, supervisory and administrative skills.
• Must possess excellent decision-making capabilities and dispute resolution skills, including the ability to deal well with emotionally charged and/or adversarial situations.
• Requires excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to interpret and provide verbal and written instructions to subordinates and to communicate effectively with court professionals, persons appearing before the court, peers and the general public.
• Must have professional level writing skills including the ability to draft clear and concise opinions, court orders, policies, procedures, reports and similar documents.
• A working knowledge of Microsoft office suite and internet software and ability to utilize same to produce decisions, reports and other correspondence is required.
• Must have the ability to professionally represent the Tribe when attending Court related meetings, or at consultations and conferences.
• Must possess a good understanding of the needs and vision of the Kalispel Tribe and be able to tactfully handle culturally sensitive issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with Tribal officials, Tribal Members, staff, industry professionals and the general public.
• Must qualify for a Tribal Work Permit by passing drug screening and background checks.

Certificates, Licenses, Other Requirements
• Must be licensed in the state of Washington to practice law and must be a member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
• Valid WA or ID Driver’s License and insurability under the Tribe’s auto policy.
• May not have convictions of a felony or of misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.


Work Environment
• This position is performed primarily in an office environment. Significant portions of the job require extended sedentary periods; regular work with computers and repetitive motion of hands and wrists.
• This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, lift, carry, and move items weighting up to 30 pounds and requires occasional standing or walking.

• This position requires regular local and occasional out of town travel.

• This position occasionally requires work to be performed outside general business hours, including evening or weekend sessions, meetings/travel.


Jessica Lee-Domebo, Staff Attorney
Kalispel North Legal Office
P.O. Box 39
Usk, WA 99180
(509) 789-7602 (direct)
(509) 481-1725 (cell)
jdomebo@kalispeltribe.com

Job Posting - Udall Scholarship & Excellence in Nat'l Environ Fdtn

Udall Scholarship & Excellence in Nat'l Environ Fdtn

Job Title: Program Associate/Senior Program

Please see link posted below for more information.


Sunday, June 19, 2011

Job Posting - Associate Judge Yavapai-Apache Nation

Yavapai-Apache Nation (Camp Verde, AZ)

Position Type:

Attorney

Practice Area(s):

Criminal, Family, Government, Indian/Native American

Geographic Preference(s):

Southwest (AZ, NM)

Description:

• Issuing warrants of arrest, bench warrants, search warrants, subpoenas, temporary restraining orders, and orders of protection, commitments and other legal documents
• Presiding over hearings in all cases: civil, criminal, domestic relations (divorce), adoption, ICWA, landlord tenant, real estate, probate and specialty court and other matters arising under the Yavapai-Apache Law & Order Code.
• Drafting timely written opinions, orders and other court directives.
• Performing timely case management, on hearings, motions, rulings, setting of cases.
• Maintaining accurate and complete court records.
• Assisting court clerks to maintain updated records and files on cases.

Desired Class Level:

LLM, JD Alum, Alum 0-3 yrs exp, Alum 4-6 yrs exp, Bar Passage, Pending Bar Passage

Posting Date:

June 15, 2011

Expiration Date:

July 1, 2011

Contact:

Ms Laura Jones

Human Resources Director

2400 W Datsi Street Camp Verde, Arizona 86322 United States

http://www.yavapai-apache.org

Resume Receipt:

Other (see below)

How to Apply:

Submit Employment Application, Resume and Cover Letter to Yavapai-Apache Nation Human Resources 2400 W. Datsi Camp Verde, AZ 86322 www.yavapai-apache.org

• High School Diploma or GED plus six (6) years experience as Judicial Officer, Lawyer or Tribal Advocate; or Paralegal or Tribal Trial Advocacy Certificate plus four (4) years experience as Judicial Officer, Lawyer or Tribal Advocate; or Law School Degree plus two (2) years experience as Judicial Officer, Lawyer or Tribal Advocate. (Law School Degree highly preferred).
• Minimum of one (1) year full-time judicial experience in courts of limited jurisdiction required (Tribal Court preferred).
• Posses a high level of competence, ability to carry out legal thinking reconciling the principles and the particular circumstances of the person and the issues.

Additional Documents:

Cover Letter

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Joe Sarcinella - New Job

Joe Sarcinella (’09) recently accepted a new position with the Navajo Nation Washington DC office as a Legislative Associate. Congratulations Joe!

Tsosie gives keynote at NSU commencement

Professor Tsosie gave the keynote address on June 12 at the Nova Southeastern University Graduate Schools commencement in Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Fla.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Gila River Job Posting

Defense Attorney I

Gila River Indian Community (Sacaton, AZ)

Position Type:

Attorney

Practice Area(s):

Criminal - Defense, Indian/Native American

Geographic Preference(s):

Southwest (AZ, NM)

Description:

For full description and application please see:
http://www.gilariver.org/index.php/about-tribe/opportunities-group2-opportunities/jobs/17-current-gric-job-openings/1920-11-306-defense-attorney-i

The Defense Attorney I performs entry-level professional legal work involved in representing defendants in the courts of the Gila River Indian Community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Defend persons charged with offenses in the Community's courts.
• Practice extensively in the courtroom arguing motions, trying cases to judges and juries, as well as occasionally arguing special actions and appeals.
• Participate in plea negotiations and pre-trial discovery with prosecutors.
• Perform legal research and drafts legal documents for all stages of the criminal process from pre-trial motions to appeals.
• Review and evaluate evidence and prepare cases for trial.
• Consult with clients and advise them in legal matters.
• Interview witnesses and potential witnesses, including police officers and expert witnesses.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Graduate from an accredited law school with juris doctorate degree; member in good standing of the State Bar of Arizona. Experience with defense representation preferred.

Desired Class Level:

JD Alum, Alum 0-3 yrs exp, Alum 4-6 yrs exp, Bar Passage

Posting Date:

June 13, 2011

Expiration Date:

June 28, 2011

Contact:

Ms. Cecilia Vaca

Director

151 S Bluebird Road Sacaton, Arizona 85147 United States

http://www.gilariver.org/

Resume Receipt:

E-mail, Other (see below)

Default email for resumes.:

cecilia.vaca@gric.nsn.us

How to Apply:

Employment Applications are available at all District Service Centers, the Human Resources Department, and online at www.gilariver.org. Employment Applications must be received in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm on the closing date.

To avoid delays, application can be mailed or faxed to:
Gila River Indian Community
Human Resources Department
Post Office Box 97
Sacaton, Arizona 85147
Fax: (520) 562-9809

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION
http://www.gilariver.org/index.php/about-tribe/opportunities-group2-opportunities/jobs/17-current-gric-job-openings/1920-11-306-defense-attorney-i

***

Thursday, June 09, 2011

Clinton Quoted in Arizona Republic

Professor Clinton was quoted in a June 5 article in The Arizona Republic, “For-profit schools shadowed by inquiries,” by reporter Jahna Berry.

http://www.law.asu.edu/News/CollegeofLawNews.aspx?NewsId=3225

Gonzalez v. State of Arizona

Gonzalez v. State of Arizona, No. 08-17094

http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/uploads/enbanc/08-17094pfr.pdf
Petition for Rehearing En Banc filed by the State of Arizona and Arizona Secretary of State:

Three-Judge Panel Opinion: 624 F.3d 1162 (9th Cir. 2010)

Order Taking Case En Banc: 2011 WL 1651242 (9th Cir. April 27, 2011)

Date of Order Taking Case En Banc: April 27, 2011

Status: Calendared June 21, 2011 at 2:00 p.m., Pasadena, California.

Members of En Banc Court: Not yet available

Subject Matter: Appeal by Arizona residents and Indian tribes in consolidated actions challenging validity of state Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and proof of identification to vote in person at polls.

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Fed Bar 2012

Save the Date: The Federal Bar Association’s Indian Law Conference will be held April 19-20, 2012.

Thursday, June 02, 2011

UN DRIP Hearing

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold a hearing next Thursday, June 9, to discuss the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. The United States was one of four nations that voted against the declaration in November 2007. President Barack Obama reversed course and endorsed the policy last December. The hearing will take place at 2:15pm in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. A witness list hasn't been posted online.

Committee Notice:
OVERSIGHT HEARING on Setting the Standard: Domestic Policy Implications of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (June 9, 2011)