In-House Legal Counsel

Location

Winnebago, NE

Type

Full Time

Closes: 7/9/2024

In-House Legal Counsel

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Salary (Grade): Depends on Experience

Status: Reg. Full-Time (Exempt)

Location: TBD, Winnebago NE 68071; Remote work eligible

Job Purpose & Position Overview

Under the direction of Tribal Administration, the In-House Legal Counsel (IHLC) is responsible for working with the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (WTN) Departments and Programs on a diverse range of legal matters. The IHLC provides executive level advice, direction, and counsel on legal matters impacting the Tribal organization to ensure its integrity, compliance, and fiscal stability. The IHLC is responsible for ensuring that applicable laws are followed so that tribal sovereignty is protected and enhanced and aids the Tribal Departments to avoid or prevent expensive legal disputes and litigation and protects the Winnebago Tribe’s legal interests.

Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Demonstrates the Winnebago Tribe’s core mission, vision, and values
Gather and analyze statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, documents and other data to provide legal opinions to the Tribal Organization and Departments.
Assist the Winnebago Tribal Council and Winnebago Tribal Administration by providing drafting and research support services including document preparation and review.
Review and assist Tribal Council and Departments in reviewing contracts, agreements and other legal documents to ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State and Tribal regulations and standards.
Coordinate and perform legal research as necessary.
Organize and maintain documents in a paper or electronic filing system.
Collaborate with the Tribe’s General Counsel as necessary.
Drafts contracts, agreements and other legal documents for Tribal Council and Tribal Departments.
Advise Tribal Departments on regarding legal issues affecting the Tribe, including but not limited to:

Tribal Code drafting and revising.
Review of contracts entered into by the Tribe.
Employee grievances.
Review of approved and drafted policies.

Assist WTN’s Land Management Department. This entails working with the department regarding:

When needed, review realty transactions including sales, gift deeds, right of way, partitions, leases and permits of Tribal properties.
Review appraisals, surveys, archaeology, and NEPA requirements for transactions and activities.
Rights protection including trespass discovery and abatement, arranging for appraisals, posting and surveying of restricted properties, and tracking of development and other activities in areas near or on native allotments and restricted town sites, informing property owners of such planned development and providing comments on such at the request of property owners.
Working on pending and approved allotment applications, including tracking the WTN undivided interest on allotment adjudication process, providing applicants with updates and information on the process and assisting applications with advocacy including affidavit preparation.
Adhere to confidential requirements of trust records.

Review Tribal Council Resolutions for adherence to WTN and Bureau of Indian Affairs standards.
Duties listed are only an illustration of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment.

Required Qualifications/Skills:

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in the state of Nebraska and the Winnebago Tribal Court, or licensed in another state with ability to obtain Nebraska and Winnebago licensure within 6 months.
At least five (5) years’ experience practicing law.
Preferred knowledge and experience in Indian Law and/or Tribal governments.
Proficient with Microsoft Office, specifically Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills and adhering to strict deadlines.
Must be able to effectively multi-task, manage time-sensitive documents and have exceptional organizational skills in a fast-paced environment.
Must be able to function effectively in a busy, team-oriented environment.
Office administration experience.
Qualified applicants must have excellent communication, oral advocacy, writing, negotiation, time management skills, and must possess good judgment. The ability to handle a high volume of matters in a fast-paced work environment is essential.

Training Requirements:

As directed by management.

Physical Requirements:

Normal office work which includes the ability to lift up to 10 lbs.
Regularly required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, phone, and various office equipment.
While performing daily duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

Mental Requirements:

Reading, writing, calculating
Above average social interaction skills
Reasoning/Analysis
Works with minimal to no supervision

Language Requirements:

Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit an application at www.winnebagotribe.com, a resume, cover letter, and two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Applications submitted after the closing date or without proper documents will not be considered.
If claiming Native American or Veteran preference, please include pertinent documentation.
Call Human Resources at 402-878-2272 for further information.

As provided by Federal Law, all qualified Native American applicants shall receive preference over Non-Native American applicants. In the absence of qualified Native American applicants, consideration will be given to all other applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.