Chief Legal Officer

With the Tribe and its Constitutional government as client, the Chief Legal Officer works under the primary supervision and direction of the Tribal Council. The Chief Legal Officer also provides legal services to the operational direction of the Tribal government’s Chief Executive Officer consistent with the laws, budgets and policy directives enacted by the Tribal Council. The position entails performing a broad range of legal work for all departments and divisions of the Tribal government, as well as, appearing in Courts of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Michigan State Courts and federal courts on behalf of the Tribe as authorized and directed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provide timely legal advice/counsel to, and draft legal opinions for, the Tribal Council, its subdivisions, instrumentalities, departments and various business entities on a broad range of legal issues.
Prepare legal memoranda and conducts legal research as requested.
Prepare drafts of resolutions, Tribal laws, regulations, and policies for Tribal Council approval.
Work with Department Leaders to create policies/procedures to guide implementation of government functions and operations to assure compliance with applicable laws and conditions of grants, contracts and other agreements.
Serves as the Director of the Tribe’s Legal Department, allocates work for the efficient operation of the Department and supervises the work of subordinate attorneys and legal support staff.
Supervision of work performed by the Tribe’s outside/contract attorneys, and participation in such work, to help achieve successful completion of assigned work within budgetary constraints.
Oversees the implementation of regulations and compliance by all Tribal departments with federal and state regulations for various functions of the government.
Establish and maintain necessary professional relationships with Team Members, Tribal Members, Tribal Management and other Tribal Government Employers.
Manage the delivery of legal services to all areas of the Tribal government to ensure services and functions are performed in a timely manner by appropriate personnel consistent with NHBP business needs.
Prepares and manages the budget for the Legal Department of the Tribe.
Represents the Tribe in negotiation and implementation of inter-governmental agreements with the United States, State of Michigan, local governments and their respective agencies and instrumentalities.
At the request of the Tribal Council, attends public meetings of Tribal members to present and explain proposed or adopted actions of the Tribal Council and other instrumentalities of the Tribal government.
Attend various community and programmatic events and meetings as needed to share information and support team's work.
Attend Tribal Council meetings, workgroups and prep sessions as requested to provide legal advice and support.
All other duties as assigned consistent with ethical limitations applicable to licensed attorneys.

MINIMUM NECESSARY POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Juris doctor degree from accredited law school in the United States.
Experience and education must include extensive familiarity with Federal Indian Law to include jurisdictional limitations of Tribal, State, and Federal Courts.
Must be a member of the State Bar of Michigan (or obtain admission to Michigan Bar within 1 year of date of hire), in good standing, and must not have had his/her license or admission to practice suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction.
At least 10 years broad-based legal experience providing high-level legal counsel and assistance to organizational clients.
At least 10 years demonstrated successful experience practicing law in a Tribal governmental environment.
Knowledge of and experience with tribal, local, state government, and federal laws pertaining to Indian tribes and with legal principles defining jurisdiction of Indian tribes.
Demonstrated experience drafting laws and policies specific to Indian Tribal governments, organizations and Reservations.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Must have experience that demonstrates ability to effectively plan, organize and execute legal strategies and assignments.
Demonstrated ability to manage difficult situations with diplomacy and use discriminating judgment in all matters affecting Tribal interests.
Demonstrated experience working on complex legal projects with little or no direct supervision.
Proficient in general computer skills and applications, including Microsoft Office suite.
Ability to efficiently organize and present information in individual and group settings.
Must have the ability to work evenings and/or weekend hours as necessary.
Must have a valid Driver License.


SECURITY SENSITIVE

This position may contain information that is security sensitive and thereby subject to additional provisions including HIPAA.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Skills
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, laws, regulations and other legal documents and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills
Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Reasoning Ability
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.


WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical surroundings are a general office environment. Requires mobility, frequent walking, standing, and carrying of light items of up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to walk and talk or hear. The employee is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually very quiet.

Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, when necessary or as directed. Must be able to travel between tribal facilities and outside the state for meetings, trainings and conferences.

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; able to read and interpret written information.

Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Aligns work with strategic goals.

Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget.

Ethics - Treats people with respect; Upholds organizational values.

Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks
correct and on time; supports organization's goals and values.

INDIAN PREFERENCE

Indian preference will be applied in the selection of qualified applicants in accordance with the NHBP Indian Preference in Employment Code, which affords employment preferences to NHBP Tribal citizens, spouses of NHBP citizens and members of other federally recognized Indian Tribes.