Chief Legal Counsel

Muckleshoot Indian Tribe•Auburn, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Tribal Council, the Chief Legal Counsel is responsible for all legal matters involving the Muckleshoot Tribe, including all governmental and business activities. Areas of oversight include management of the Office of the Tribal Attorney and all outside counsel retained by the Tribe. The incumbent will operate with substantial freedom to act in performing senior management level administrative, professional and technical work in order to implement the goals of the Tribe.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school in the United States
Fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible, related legal and managerial experience.
Admitted to practice law and be in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, or eligible for admission and obtain admission within six months of employment.
Knowledge in Federal Indian law as well as other procedural and substantive law; applicable federal, state, county and local laws, regulations and requirements; effective supervisory practices including hiring and performance management;
Skilled in establishing effective working relationships with diverse groups and individuals; communicating effectively orally and in writing with Tribal officials and managers, other governmental officials, consultants, and employees; managing, scheduling, assigning, coordinating and monitoring the work of professional, technical, trades and support staff; exercising independent professional judgment; negotiating legal matters; experience with litigation; conducting research, analyzing data and compiling comprehensive reports, with recommendations; organizing multiple tasks and priorities as well as effective delegation and time management skills; preparing, analyzing, and interpreting complex legal documents; operating a personal computer, including applicable software and office equipment; interpreting administrative guidelines and applying them to the work situation.

Responsibilities

Attends various conferences and meetings on behalf of the Tribe.
Responsible for all legal matters of the Tribe as directed by the Tribal Council, and conducts duties in accordance with instructions from the Tribal Council by duly authorized resolution or motion through its Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson.
Manages all aspects of the Office of the Tribal Attorney, including the supervision of the lawyers in the Office.
Analyzes, and if deemed appropriate, proposes revisions to the Office of Tribal Attorney's structure and staffing.
Responsible for organizing the Office of the Tribal Attorney in a manner that effectively delivers legal services to the Tribe, including delegation of authority and responsibilities to the lawyers in their areas of expertise, and communicating such organization, as appropriate.
Ensures that an effective succession plan is in place for the Office of Tribal Attorney to enable its functions to continue without significant interruption in the event of departures/retirements.
Responsible for and manages all budgets assigned by the Tribal Council to the CLC or Office of the Tribal Attorney.
Manages the retention and direction of all outside counsel retained by the Tribe.
Provides written or oral opinions on legal issues affecting Tribal business upon request of the Tribal Council.
Develops guidelines and procedures for the approval of legal documents by the Office of the Tribal Attorney to be submitted to the Tribal Council.
Participates in the legislative and public affairs at the federal, state and local level and closely coordinates with the Intergovernmental Liaison Department.
Provides and oversees legal advice and assistance to the programs and departments of the Tribe consistent with directions and priorities established by the Tribal Council.
Manages the drafting of contracts, ordinances, resolutions, legislation and other legal documents upon the request of the Tribal Council.
Assists in the economic development of the Muckleshoot Tribe as directed by the Tribal Council.
Achieves goals and objectives as established by the Tribal Council and as amended from time to time.
Responsible (along with other management personnel) for ensuring that all actions and decisions are in the Tribe’s best interests, including, but not limited to, ensuring that they are consistent with the Tribe’s commitment to the well-being of its members.
Serves as counsel to the Tribal Council during meetings and deliberations of the Tribal Council.
Performs other duties that may be assigned by the Tribal Council.
Because of the Tribe’s commitment to community service, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties as may be required from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.