Staff Attorney

The Staff Attorney provides legal counsel and representation to the PITU Tribal Council and Tribal Departments. They ensure alignment with the Tribe’s mission, values, and directives, while maintaining strong government and community relations. This role involves preparing legal opinions, offering guidance on policy development, and representing the Tribe in Tribal, state, and federal courts, and will oversee the Tribal Court. The position also supports intergovernmental negotiations, assists in the development and implementation of long-range legal strategies, and plays a critical role in protecting the Tribe’s legal and economic interests. 

Work Schedule:

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, 1 hour lunch (unpaid)

Job Functions:

include, but are not limited to, the following:  

• Provides legal advice, guidance, direction and representation to the Tribal Council. 
• Provides legal advice, guidance, direction and representation to Tribal divisions, departments, and programs. 
• Defend and uphold the PITU Constitution, Codes, Ordinance, and other key governing documents. 
• Reviews and/or prepares contracts, ordinances, resolutions, legislation and other legal documents for the Tribe, and prepares correspondence and other documents stating the legal position of the Tribe. 
• Represents the Tribe before all courts, administrative agencies, and legislative bodies, when specifically authorized to do so by Tribal Council. 
• Manages general litigation, responds to inquiries from regulatory agencies, and responds to legal complaints. 
• Attends Tribal Council meetings and other department meetings and participates as legal representative of the Tribe in negotiations and other meetings affecting tribal interests.  
• Studies the PITU Code, PITU Constitution, U.S. Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramification for cases. 
• Prepares Tribal contracts, requests for proposals, contractual agreements, MOU’s, MOA’s, BAA’s, and other legal documents on behalf of the Tribe. 
• Writes, negotiates, and executes agreements and contracts on behalf of the Tribe. 
• Advises on contract status, legal risks, and legal liabilities associated with different agreements. 
• Coordinates work with other outside counsel who are representing the Tribe. 
• Works with the Human Resources department on employment matters and legal needs. 
• Reviews and develops codes and policies for the Tribal Government. 
• Ensures compliance with Tribal, federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, Tribal policies, and TERO.
• Coordinates appraisals, surveys, archaeology, and NEPA requirements for transactions and activities. 
• Provides written reports to the Tribal Council on the legal work being conducted on behalf of the Tribe.  
• Conducts research to anticipate unique legal issues that could impact the Tribe. 
• Drafts reports, letters, memoranda, legislative action items and written legal opinions when needed. 
• Creates legal correspondence and provides legal guidance and support to the Tribal Council and Executives. 
• Reviews all proposed leases submitted to the Tribe to ensure all legal elements of a contract are intact.  
• Periodically review and audits leases to ensure all information and data has been collected and stored to ensure leases are valid and historical data is maintained. 
• Ensures the laws of the Tribe are enforced to protect the health and welfare of the Tribe. 
• Evaluates findings and develops strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases. 
• Attend Tribal Justice training events when requested. 
• Works with Judges and appropriate entities to meet the needs of the Tribal Court.  
• Provide detailed reports and performance outcomes in coordination with other Tribal Programs.  
• Use key performance indicators to monitor work performance, measure results, ensure deliverables meet intended projections.   
• Stay up to date with federal rules and regulations that are relevant to ICWA, Foster Care, family services, health services, IHS, and BIA. 
• Adhere to confidential requirements of trust records. 
• Other duties as assigned to support the efficient operations of the Tribe. 

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality. 
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of non-legal staff and policy makers. 
• Ability to speak and write clearly, concisely, and effectively, including presenting information in one-on-one and group settings.  
• Ability to organize/maintain detailed records; complete necessary paperwork and meet deadlines.  
• Ability to exercise initiative and good judgment in achieving goals of the Tribal government. 
• Ability to foster constructive working relationships across departments, as well as with external counsel, contractors, and agencies. 
• Must be independent and self-motivated to complete required tasks in a timely manner with minimal supervision.  
• Must have computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to utilize a range of personal computer resources and applications.  
• Knowledge of policy and procedure development. 
• Knowledge of survey and data collections best practices. 
• Knowledge of grant writing and budget management. 
• Project management experience, particularly in legally sensitive or time-constrained matters. 
• High-level proficiency in interpreting statues, regulations, and court decisions affecting Indian Tribes. 
• Familiarity with federal funding compliance, including Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance.  
• Must be able to demonstrate respect for and awareness of Native American customs, traditions, and socioeconomic needs.  
• Must be willing to travel as needed.  

General Requirements:

• Must be insurable through the Tribe’s vehicle insurance required.
• Must pass a criminal and fingerprint background check according to P.L. 101-630 standards required.
• Must pass a pre-employment alcohol/drug screening required.

Education & Experience:

• Must have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, be admitted to practice in the State of Utah, and must be in good standing (required). 
• Minimum of 1-3 years' experience working in-house legal experience with a federally recognized tribe or Indian law-focused firm (required). 
• Extensive litigation experience in Tribal, Federal, State, and administrative forums, including complex civil cases (required). 
• Preference given to those with experience in; federal Indian law, PL 93-638 Contracting, Tribal Treaty Rights, Environmental/Natural Resource law, Tribal Finance, HUD regulations, Employment law, Contract law, Business law, Criminal law, Tribal Taxation Indian Child Welfare, and/or Indian Health Law.  
• Preference given to those with experience in grant writing and contract management. 

License & Certification:

• Must possess, maintain, and provide proof of a valid Driver’s License (required). 
• Must be admitted to Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah Tribal Court within 90 days of hire (required). 
• Ability to obtain admission to practice law in additional jurisdictions, as necessary or beneficial to Tribal interests (required). 

• Group Health Care Plan (Health, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability). Employer paid premiums for Employee, Spouse and Dependents
• Supplemental/Voluntary Benefits (Critial Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident, Life/AD&D and Short-Term Disability)
• HSA Bank Account - Monthly employer contributions
• Retirement Plan (401k, Roth) - Dollar for dollar match up to 6%
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays (Federal, State and Tribal) - Paid according to set work schedule only
• Paid Birthday Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Education Assistance Program
• Wellness Program - Earn up to $1,000 into your HSA account per year