Associate Tribal Attorney

Associate Tribal Attorney

Salary Range $84,542.89 - $ Salary/year Position Type Regular Full-Time Job Shift Varies Travel Percentage Up to 25% Category Legal

The Associate Tribal Attorney serves under the direct supervision, guidance, and oversight of the KIC Tribal Attorney. In alignment with the Office of the Tribal Attorney's strategic legal priorities, the Associate Tribal Attorney assists in delivering comprehensive legal services that develop Tribal resources and infrastructure, defend and preserve Tribal Sovereignty, and expand Tribal self-sufficiency through the exercise of inherent sovereign rights.

This role offers a high degree of professional engagement and the opportunity to meaningfully shape the legal strategy of the Tribe in collaboration with the Tribal Attorney. The Associate Tribal Attorney works closely with the Tribal Council, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Tribal Administrator, Chief Finance Officer (CFO), department directors, and outside legal counsel on a wide range of matters affecting KIC and its citizens.

Under the supervision, guidance, and assignment of the KIC Tribal Attorney, the Associate Tribal Attorney performs the following duties:

• Advise the Tribal Council, CEO, CFO, and department directors on legal matters as assigned by the Tribal Attorney; complex or sensitive employment matters shall be escalated to the Tribal Attorney or outside counsel
• Draft and revise Tribal ordinances, resolutions, regulations, codes, policies, and procedures per the direction of Tribal Council and in support of the Tribal Attorney's legal program.
• Prepare legal memoranda, correspondence, and other legal instruments as assigned.
• Attend monthly Tribal Council meetings and special sessions, work sessions, and committee meetings where legal guidance may be sought — as directed by the Tribal Attorney.
• Track all legal issues KIC is involved in and maintain organized case and matter files, reporting regularly to the Tribal Attorney.
• Prepare monthly activity reports and other reports as assigned by the Tribal Attorney.
• Maintain a professional presence in the community at all times and represent KIC positively in all interactions with Tribal citizens, government partners, and the public.

Contracts and Transactional Legal Work

• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, agreements, leases, intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding, and commercial transactions for KIC under the direction of the Tribal Attorney.
• Review and advise on independent contractor agreements, employment agreements, professional services contracts, and grant agreements including 638 contracts.
• Assist the Tribal Attorney in coordinating with outside legal counsel, including organizing documentation, tracking deadlines, and communicating under the Tribal Attorney's direction.
• Negotiate contracts in collaboration with senior management under the supervision of the Tribal Attorney.

Federal Indian Law and Tribal Sovereignty

• Research and provide legal analysis on federal Indian law, Alaska Native law, and issues of Tribal sovereignty and self-governance in support of the Office of the Tribal Attorney's strategic priorities.
• Assist the Tribal Attorney with land-into-trust acquisitions, fee-to-trust applications, related federal administrative processes, etc.
• Support advocacy efforts related to ISDEAA/P.L. 93-638 contracting, Tribal self-governance compacts, and federal funding mechanisms.
• Monitor federal and state legislation, regulatory changes, and court decisions affecting the Tribe and brief the Tribal Attorney and Tribal leadership accordingly.
• Assist the Tribal Attorney with legal strategy related to expansion of Tribal jurisdiction, development of Tribal infrastructure, and advancement of KIC's economic development goals.
• Work with advocacy efforts at the local, state and national levels on legislation affecting the Tribe's interests, as assigned by the Tribal Attorney.

Litigation and Administrative Proceedings

• Assist the Tribal Attorney with litigation strategy, case preparation, motions practice, and legal research.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other litigation documents as…