Description:

Program Summary
Founded in 1967, California Indian Legal Services (CILS) is the oldest public interest Indian rights law firm in the country, promoting the fundamental rights of California tribes and Indians through litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, community development, and other strategies for systemic change. CILS provides a full range of legal representation to California Indian Tribes and Indian organizations, advocates for the rights of California Indians at the local, state, and national levels, and provides direct services and community education to low-income Native American individuals on issues related to Federal Indian Law. Currently, CILS offers services statewide and maintains four offices throughout California – Eastern (Bishop), Southern (Escondido), Northern (McKinleyville), and Central (Sacramento). This position is in the Central Office, located in Sacramento, CA. For additional information about CILS, go to our website at www.calindian.org.

Position Description:
This is a full-time exempt position reporting directly to the Directing Attorney of the Central Office. The Senior Staff Attorneys has substantial knowledge of and experience with issues related to client eligible Native American individuals, Indian Tribes, and Indian organizations and groups that are in the service area for the program. They bring a strong, demonstrated expertise in federal Indian law and/or public interest law, and/or a specialized area of law required by the program (e.g. Domestic Violence, Indian Child Welfare Act, etc.). The Senior Staff Attorney will be expected to maintain a caseload involving complex Indian law issues, engage with tribal clients on government work that requires experience in land, environmental, cultural resources, and economic matters. They will provide individual Native American clients with advice and representation on critical issues that are unique to Native Americans such as allotments, Indian probate, taxation, and benefits.

Essential Functions:

Collaborates with the Directing Attorney and the Director of Legal Programs on mentoring staff attorneys on issues of federal Indian law.
Conducts client development, including developing and maintaining effective relationships with Tribes and Indian organizations in the service territory and ensuring that the office pursues and secures meaningful opportunities to work with Tribes, Indian organizations and Indian individuals throughout the service territory.
Manages an appropriately sized caseload concurrent with other duties and responsibilities.

Salary:
Competitive Salary: $93,978 - $107,376. CILS creates job position wage and salary ranges using data from California non-profit legal services annual data sources; employees are placed within a range depending on degrees, certifications, experience, qualifications, and other factors.

Benefits:
CILS provides an extensive benefits package, including:

Multiple high-quality, and low-cost medical plans including medical, dental and vision.
100% coverage for the employee and 90% for dependent premiums.
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible medical/dental, dependent care, and public transportation expenses.
403(b) retirement plan with employer match – up to 5% of your annual salary.
18 paid holidays annually (includes office closure from December 24-January 1).
Vacation time off, starting at 13 days accrued per year.
Sick leave is set at 12 days per year.
Paid leave for jury duty/witness services, Election Day, bereavement.
Free professional development courses and learning opportunities.
Employee Assistance Program
Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) for full-time attorney positions with eligible loans. Up to $700 reimbursement per month depending on payment plan.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Certified Employer
Life insurance of 2x your annual salary.
Supplemental insurance, including additional life and disability coverage available to purchase.
California State Bar annual dues paid for all attorneys.

Location:
This position is in person in the Central Office (Sacramento, CA) Mondays through Fridays with optional teleworking on Mondays and Fridays.

To Apply:
Submit a resume, cover letter, three professional references, and a writing sample. We will accept applications until the position is filled, but CILS does not accept incomplete applications.

Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:

J.D. degree and California Bar membership in good standing or eligible for admittance and willing to sit for the next available California State Bar exam;
Minimum of seven years' experience practicing law with low-income Native Americans, substantial experience in federal Indian law, or significant legal services practice. Equivalent general practice may be acceptable;
Substantial experience and knowledge of civil litigation;
Commitment to high quality legal services for Native American people.
Excellent communication, writing and organizational skills.
Strong work ethic and able to work nights and weekends when many Tribal councils meet.
Ability to travel overnight and a valid driver's license.
Solid understanding of Native Americans and Tribes in California.
A commitment to providing high-quality legal services for Native Americans.
Ability to work independently, as part of a team and to take initiative.
Deep connection and commitment to the CILS mission and Tribal communities.

Preferred Qualifications:
Prior management and supervisory experience

Salary Description
$93,978 - $107,376 per year