Staff Attorney- Northern Office

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Founded in 1967, California Indian Legal Services (CILS) is the oldest public interest Indian rights law firm in the country, promoting the fundamental rights of California tribes and Indians through litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, community development, and other strategies for systemic change. CILS provides a full range of legal representation to California Indian tribes and Indian organizations, advocates for the rights of California Indians at the local, state, and national levels, and provides direct services and community education to low-income Native American individuals on issues related to Federal Indian Law. Currently, CILS offers services statewide and maintains four offices throughout California – Eastern (Bishop), Southern (Escondido), Northern (McKinleyville), and Central (Sacramento). For additional information about CILS, go to our website at www.calindian.org.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

CILS is seeking a full-time Staff Attorney for its Northern Office in McKinleyville, California but will consider applications of recent law school graduates as well. These candidates would be hired in a temporary position as Advocate and transition to a Staff Attorney role upon passing the California bar exam.

Supervised by the Directing Attorney, the Staff Attorney will work collaboratively with other staff to provide exceptional legal services in all areas of Federal Indian law. Our fast-paced office provides legal services on issues of jurisdiction, tax, estate planning, trust assets, environmental law, natural resource development, tribal governance, employment, and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The Staff Attorney will assume a varied caseload that may include: brief counsel and services to low-income Indian individuals; state and federal court litigation; contract negotiation; advising tribal clients; developing and implementing constitutions, codes, and policies for tribal clients; and making community presentations. The Staff Attorney will be expected to appear on behalf of tribal clients in state dependency actions where the ICWA is applicable. Staff Attorney client development responsibilities include developing and maintaining effective relationships with tribes and Indian organizations in the service territory, including all funding sources, and ensuring that the office pursues and secures meaningful opportunities to work with tribes, Indian organizations, and Indian individuals throughout the service territory. Client development includes all CILS funding sources (grants, contracts, donations, etc.).

Staff Attorneys also collaborate with Directing Attorneys and the Legal Director for legal work management that includes Staff Attorney mentoring and supervision, assistance and administration of local legal work management systems, and grant and special project development and implementation, as directed by the Directing Attorney and/or the Legal Director.

SALARY:

Competitive salary: $75,326-$99,350. CILS creates job position wage and salary ranges using data from California non-profit legal services annual data sources; employees are placed within a range depending on degrees, certifications, experience, qualifications, and other factors.

BENEFITS:

CILS provides an extensive benefits package, including:

• Multiple high-quality, and low-cost medical plans.
• 100% coverage for the employee and 90% for dependent premiums.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible medical/dental, dependent care, and public transportation expenses.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• 17 paid holidays annually (includes office closure from December 24-January 1) plus an additional day for your birthday.
• Vacation time off, starting at 13 days accrued per year.
• Sick leave is set at 12 days per year.
• Paid leave for jury duty/witness services, Election Day, bereavement.
• Free professional development courses and learning opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program with access to free mental health services.
• Loan Repayment Assistance Program for eligible positions.
• Supplemental insurance, including additional life and disability coverage.
• Temporary full-time Advocates may receive up to 2 weeks of paid time off to study for the CA bar exam on their first attempt.

LOCATION:

This position is in person in the Northern Office (McKinleyville, CA) Mondays through Fridays with optional teleworking on Mondays and Fridays.

TO APPLY:

Submit a resume, cover letter, three professional references, and a writing sample. We will accept applications until the position is filled, but CILS does not accept incomplete applications.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications

• J.D. and California bar membership in good standing (recent law graduates preparing for the CA bar exam or awaiting results will be considered for role of temporary Advocate).
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal Indian law with at least 1-3 years of experience practicing law.
• Excellent communication, writing and organizational skills.
• Strong work ethic and able to work nights and weekends when many tribal councils meet.
• Ability to travel overnight and a valid driver’s license.
• Solid understanding of Native Americans and Tribes in California.
• A commitment to providing high-quality legal services for Native Americans.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team and to take initiative.

Preferred Qualifications

• Legal Services and/or Nonprofit legal work experience.
• Experience working with Native Americans, Tribes, or tribal communities.
• Experience in dependency/child welfare law.
• Deep connection and commitment to the CILS mission and tribal communities.