Description:

Associate Attorney: Office of Tribal Attorney. Regular, Full-time. Salary: $85,000/ Annually, DOE. The Associate Attorney is responsible to provide advice, negotiation, research, representation, drafting, interpretations, and opinions on all legal matters without limitation as requested by Tribal Administration, Tribal Programs, and Enterprises. Will work closely with the Tribe's Legal Team and other attorneys with whom the Tribe has contracted for specific additional legal representation. Conducts civil lawsuits, drafts and/or draws up legal documents, and advises the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council, Departments and its Entities as to legal rights, including other duties as assigned by the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council, Chairman, or his designee. Associate Tribal Attorney does not provide legal services to individual Tribal Members, except upon the express resolution of the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council when representation of the individual involves significant tribal government interests.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Advises and represents Tribal Government, Tribal Administration, Tribal Enterprises, and the Tribal Programs in matters of federal, state, and local governments and agencies.
Represents the Tribe in litigation in federal, state, and tribal courts as requested.
Represents the Tribe in all negotiations as requested.
Reviews grant, contract applications, documents and presents interpretations on legal content prior to signing and submission of documents as requested or directed by Tribal Council or direct supervisor.
Gathers evidence in civil and other cases to formulate defense or to initiate legal action.
Conducts research interviews clients and witnesses and handles other details in preparation for trial.
Prepares legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of case.
Represent the Hoopa Valley Tribe and the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council in court and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies of government.
Confers with colleagues with specialty in area of lawsuit to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings.
Advises the Hoopa Valley Tribal council, departments, and entities of the Hoopa Valley Tribal council concerning transactions of business involving internal affairs, directors, officers, and tribal relations with general public and other government, i.e., local, state, and federal.
Reviews pertinent decisions, policies, regulations, and other legal maters pertaining to cases.
Correlates findings and prepares cases.
Drafts and reviews resolutions, policies, procedures, agreements and contracts, etc. on behalf of the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council as requested.
Gives advice on legal decisions, agency regulations, statutes, and treaties that affect Tribal activities as requested by the designated supervisor.
Prepares business contracts, and administers other legal matters as assigned by the designated supervisor.
Attends the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council meetings on an as-needed basis and requests specific Tribal Council action on an as-needed basis.
Occasionally travels on matters pertaining to the Hoopa Valley Tribe.
Conducts discussions and negotiations with various State and Federal Government Agencies including among others; Department of the Interior, Department of Justice, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, United States Attorney, National Indian Gaming Commission and State Attorney General.
Conducts themselves in a professional responsible manner in accordance with the Hoopa Valley Tribe's Professional Ethics Code for Spokespersons and Attorney's and the Professional Responsibility Code of California.
Ability to check, analyze workload/ caseload to determine effectiveness and determine future needs.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
The Associate Attorney may at times be called upon to supervise the Paralegal/ Legal Secretary in the absence of the Senior Attorney. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must be a graduate of an A.B.A. approved Law School; Juris Doctor (JD) Degree. Must be licensed to practice law in California and be able to obtain admission to the Hoopa Tribal Court Bar. One to five (1-5) years of experience practicing law, Indian law, or other governmental law preferred.
Respectful, courteous, and friendly to the public, other tribal employees, and tribal leaders. A team player who helps the Senior Attorney and Tribal Council meet their goals. Takes initiative to meet work objectives. Effective communications with the public and other tribal employees. Gets along with co-workers and managers. Demonstrates honesty and ethical behavior.
Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Acrobat, Word Processing software, Excel Spreadsheet software and basic understanding of Legal filing applications.
Establish and maintain effective working relations with the Tribal Council, Tribal Departments and/their Entities, Committees, Community, and outside resources with firmness, tact, and impartiality;
Prepare and present effective oral and written informative material related to the activities of the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council. This will include technical writing and presentations to diverse audiences;
Ability to analyze complex problems and situations and to propose quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action;
Ability to organize information (maintain organized files, notes, and records) and be able to organize, and plan multiple tasks and projects.

Deadline to Apply: February 18th,2026

Pay: Up to $85,000.00 per year