General Counsel

Position: GENERAL COUNSEL
Location: Dillingham

POSITION TITLE:

GENERAL COUNSEL DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES OBJECTIVE:
Serves as the chief in-house legal advisor to Bristol Bay Native Association (BBNA), providing timely, practical, independent legal counsel to the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors acting in its governing capacity, BBNA departments and programs, and, when authorized and ethically permissible, member Tribal governments. Protects BBNA’s legal interests, strengthens governance, supports lawful and effective executive decision-making, and helps identify, evaluate, and manage legal risk while advancing BBNA’s mission and service to the Tribes and communities of the Bristol Bay region.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with the Alaska Bar Association. Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably including experience in Federal Indian law, Tribal law, Alaska Native law, or representation of Tribal or Native organizations.
The President and Chief Executive Officer, may waive the minimum experience requirement when a candidate’s education, relevant legal experience, demonstrated competencies, judgment, and overall qualifications establish the ability and potential to successfully perform the essential duties of the position. Must have, or be able to develop, working knowledge of Tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction; self-determination contracting and compacting under Public Law 93-638;

the Indian Child Welfare Act; nonprofit corporate governance; employment and personnel law; contracts and procurement; federal grants and awards; litigation, records and discovery; insurance and risk management; real property; and regulatory compliance. Must possess strong legal research, writing, contract drafting, negotiation, oral communication, and judgment skills and be able to explain complex legal matters clearly to non-lawyers. Must be able to identify conflicts of interest, privilege issues, and the proper distinction between legal counsel, compliance, investigative, management, and Board-governance roles.

Commitment to strengthening Tribal governments and respect for the cultures, communities, and priorities of Bristol Bay are required. Familiarity with Bristol Bay is preferred. Must be willing to travel within and outside the region.

JOB RESULTS:

Achieves Program functions by

• Providing the President and Chief Executive Officer with accurate, timely, candid legal advice on day-to-day and strategic matters, including what the law requires, what is legally permissible, material risk, available options, recommended action, decision authority, and required follow-through; promptly identifying material legal exposure, deadlines, litigation, regulatory concerns, governance issues, and other matters that could materially affect BBNA.
• Serving as the primary legal reviewer of BBNA bylaws, Board policies, personnel policies, administrative and program policies, resolutions, delegations, charters, procedures, and other governance documents; identifying conflicts, gaps, outdated provisions, ambiguous authority, or inconsistency with law, funding requirements, or other controlling documents and recommending corrective language through the proper approval process.
• Advising on the respective authority of the Full Board, Executive Committee, Board committees and officers, the President and Chief Executive Officer, senior management, supervisors, staff, contractors, and other authorized decision-makers, while preserving the distinction between legal advice and decisions lawfully committed to management or the Board.
• Providing enterprise-wide legal support to BBNA departments and programs as assigned by the President…