Tribal Attorney

POSITION TITLE: Tribal Attorney
DEPARTMENT: Legal
LOCATION: Ridgefield, WA
REPORTS TO: Tribal Council
FLSA STATUS: Exempt, fulltime
SALARY RANGE: $251,992.00 - $314,912.00 per year

Closing Date: October 7, 2025

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes a Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Tribal Council, performs a variety of complex and specialized legal functions for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and represents the Tribe in litigation, negotiation, and other legal proceedings. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and the Legal department.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Represents the Tribe in judicial, executive, or administrative proceedings and in litigation in with federal, state, and tribal courts as requested.
• Confers with the Tribal Council, duly authorized Tribal Council Subcommittees, the Chairman, and department heads to provide legal advice, discuss litigation and legal proceedings, and coordinates efforts and exchanges information.
• Supervises the Legal Department including legal staff and staff attorneys.
• Assigns department legal review requests to staff attorneys; completes status follow-ups; manages caseload spreadsheet.
• Achieves the financial objectives by exercising control and implementation over the budgetary processes.
• Attends Tribal Council and committee meetings and provides legal advice as requested.
• Prepares or directs the preparation of ordinances, resolutions, deeds, contracts, and other legal documents for the Tribe.
• Oversees the ICWA litigation strategies and progress.
• Manages and communicates with outside counsel.
• Coordinates legal strategy sessions with management and department heads.
• Prepares a variety of reports related to legal department activities related to the tribal government.
• Reviews and recommends actions on a wide range of complex legal issues for Tribal Administration and Tribal Council.
• Attends interviews for legal-adjacent positions as requested.
• Increases staff effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining staff; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; integrating functional objectives; providing and participating in educational opportunities.
• Approves time sheets, leave requests, purchase orders, and expense reimbursements.
• Conducts legal research; prepares and presents litigation documents for tribal, state, or federal court hearings and trials.
• Develops and coordinates operating procedures and guidelines for Legal Department as needed and other departments as requested.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in seminars, educational workshops, classes and conferences.
• Maintains the confidentiality of records, conversations, and tribal issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal, state, local and tribal law.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to tribal customs and beliefs.
• Knowledge of contracts and grants preparation and analysis.
• Knowledge of litigation, Indian law, employment law, and business law.
• Knowledge of tribal, state, and federal court procedures.
• Knowledge of tribal casino compacts and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
• Knowledge of budget preparation.
• Skill in interpreting federal and case law, codes, ordinances, and administrative rules.
• Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
• Ability to operate various word-processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs in a Windows environment.
• Ability to competently handle a wide range of complex legal Indian issues and develop expert-level knowledge of Cowlitz Constitution, By-laws, Code of Ordinances, Resolutions, and Polices and advices regarding the same.
• Ability to negotiate and draft contracts, compacts, and leases.
• Ability to analyze and organize facts, evidence, and legal precedents and present information and material in a clear and logical form.
• Ability to appraise legislation for its need, meaning, intent, logical development, and clarity of policy expression.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of sensitivity to community issues and concerns.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to adhere to strict standards of professional responsibility and conduct.
• Ability to provide complete candor to Tribal Council.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to represent organization in a professional manner, building respect and confidence in the community.
• Ability to demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, lack of prejudice, and desire to help when dealing with people.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association or admitted to practice in another state bar with the ability to obtain Washington State Bar within one year of employment.
• Member in good standing of the Cowlitz Bar Association.
• Ten years’ experience in Indian Law and tribal court, federal and constitutional law, litigation, environmental and natural resources, employment law, or closely related field dealing with tribal interests.
• Five years' experience in a legal supervisory role.
• Valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands, wrists, and fingers associated with computer equipment. The employee will occasionally walk and stand and reach with arms and hands. The employee may be required to sit for extended periods of time. Normal visual acuity is required by this job. The employee may occasionally lift and/or carry objects up to 20 pounds.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in a typical interior/office or courtroom environment. Noise level is usually minimal. Exposure to hostile individuals may occur. Travel within the local communities and in or out of state may be required. Frequent evening and/or weekend work will be required.

Salary : $251,992 - $314,912