General Counsel - Office President - Juneau

General Counsel

Department:
Office of the President

Location:

Juneau, AK

Exemption Status:
Exempt

Pay Grade(s): 17-19

Note:

 Positions preferred Location is Juneau, Alaska but open to considering Remote &/or Hybrid

Provide professional legal counsel to Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (T&H) in the areas of tribal government, federal-tribal relations, jurisdiction issues, environmental and natural resources law and policy, economic development, tribal business enterprise, and employment. Protect tribal assets and preserve tribal sovereignty. Fiduciary duties shall be exclusive to T&H.

• Review and recommend action on a wide range of complex legal matters for Tribal Administration, the governing body (Tribal Assembly and Executive Council), Tribal Court and Tribal enterprises.
• Provide legal advice, interpretation, and opinions on legal matters.
• Provide legal advice and services on rights, obligations, and privileges.
• Represent the Tribe at meetings and maintain clear lines of communication including but not limited to reporting legal matters, proceedings or transactions to T&H President and the governing body.
• Provide and oversee legal representation to T&H employees regarding Tribal operations and programs.
• Oversee, develop, and review legal instruments (e.g. policies, contracts, leases, regulations, etc.).
• Manage legal budget.
• Manage General Counsel employees, including but not limited to hiring, training, supervision, corrective action, and evaluations. Review and recommend updates to the T&H governing documents.
• Oversee the engagement and performance of outside legal counsel, including management of contracts, scopes of work, workflow coordination, and invoice review and approval, to ensure effective legal representation, fiscal accountability, and protection of Tribal sovereignty and assets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Familiar with Tlingit & Haida law, federal Indian law, employment law, natural resources law, and business law.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, coworkers, tribes, tribal organizations, federal, state and local officials, and public and private groups.
• Familiarity with the legal needs of the T&H recognized communities, service areas and citizens.
• Must be a skilled communicator, capable of analyzing complex issues in a manner meaningful to all levels of employees.
• Knowledge of legal research methods.
• Knowledge of contracts and grant preparation and analysis.
• Knowledge of Tribal State, and Federal court procedures.

• Juris Doctorate from American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the Alaska Bar Association, or the ability to become a member.
• Eight (8) years’ experience practicing law including at least 2 years supervising attorneys, legal staff, or comparable professional personnel.

• Two (2) years experience in Indian Law, Tribal courts, federal and constitutional law, litigation, environmental and natural resources, employment law, and other tribal interests.

• The majority of work is performed in a professional office setting and is generally sedentary, requiring routine walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items weighing less than 40 lbs.

• Travel on small aircraft or ferry may be required.