Paralegal

Chumash Enterprises•Santa Ynez, CA

11d

About The Position

The Paralegal supports the Tribe’s Legal Department in advancing and protecting the Tribe’s sovereignty, self-governance, and long-term legal interests. Under the general direction of the Senior Legal Counsel, this role provides high-level technical and administrative legal support to Tribal Government and Chumash Enterprises. The Paralegal manages complex legal workflows; drafting and redlining legal documents; and ensuring clear and effective coordination and communication across teams.

Requirements

Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies, Political Science, or a related field.
Three years of experience in a law firm, government legal department or tribal administration, including direct support of elected officials and executive leadership; experience in federal Indian law, tribal law, or tribal government is highly preferred.
Proficient in federal Indian law terminology, tribal court procedures, and the lifecycle of legal document management.
Advanced proficiency in computers, including Microsoft Office Suite, legal research platforms (Westlaw/LexisNexis), digital case management systems, email, and Internet.
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
Strategic Thinking: Understands and processes complex information and exercises sound judgment, considering the situation, the issues, the key players, and the levels of authority involved. Proposes courses of action that further the objectives, priorities, and vision of the organization.
Attention to Detail: Taking responsibility for a thorough and detailed method of working.
Planning and Organizing: Setting priorities and defining actions, time, and resources needed to achieve predefined goals.
Oral Communication: Shaping and expressing ideas and information in an effective manner.
Written Communication: Expressing ideas and opinions clearly in properly structured, well-organized, and grammatically correct reports or documents; utilizing language and terminology that is understandable for the reader.

Nice To Haves

Paralegal certification or Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school preferred.
Native American hiring preference applies.

Responsibilities

Organizes and manages legal documents including contracts, resolutions, ordinances, policies, memoranda, court pleadings, and correspondence.
Assists with maintaining and updating the tribal code, ordinances, policies, legal archives, and other governmental documents.
Communicates and coordinates with internal departments, external legal counsel, courts, governmental agencies, and other representatives as needed.
Manages the central legal filing system, ensuring proper retention, secure storage, and confidentiality of privileged legal documents.
Supports grant compliance activities related to funded programs, including tracking deadlines, maintaining supporting documentation, and monitoring regulatory requirements.
Prepares meeting minutes, summaries, and reports on pertinent legal matters for tribal attorneys, department leadership, and the Business Committee.
Organizes and manages case files for litigation, regulatory matters, and administrative hearings.
Conducts legal research on tribal, federal, and state laws, statutes, regulations, court cases, and other relevant legal material, under the direction of a supervising attorney.
Provides administrative support to attorneys, including coordinating travel arrangements, processing invoice payments, and managing office supply orders, as needed.
Upholds a work environment that promotes teamwork, partnership, recognition, mutual respect, and collaboration, while role modeling the company values, behaviors, and culture of One.Team.Chumash.
Performs other duties as assigned.