YUROK TRIBE OFFICE OF THE TRIBAL ATTORNEY : LAW CLERK
Law Clerk
The Yurok Tribe is a natural resources tribe and the largest tribe in California with over 6,100 members. Yurok people are known as great fishers, eelers, basket weavers, canoe makers, dancers, healers and strong medicine people. Yurok Tribal Council and staff continue to protect and preserve Yurok natural resources, culture, and the Yurok way of life. The Office of the Tribal Attorney (OTA) provides support and acts as legal counsel to the Yurok Tribal Council, and provides legal support for the needs of Tribal departments. OTA represents the Tribe in litigation in Tribal, state, and federal courts to assert and defend Tribal interests, and represents the Tribal government in engagement with state and federal agencies, other tribes, and outside entities. OTA assignment areas are vast, representing a wide-range of legal issues. OTA is currently accepting law clerk applications. The individual(s) selected will assist OTA staff as needed. For a full job description and minimum qualifications, please see below.
The Law Clerk position requires a minimum seven-week commitment and includes research, writing, or other work on Federal Indian law and/or Yurok specific-issues related to current OTA assignments. Our Law Clerk program provides the unique opportunity to work closely with our clients, Yurok Tribal Council and Department Directors, and experience the diversity of areas in which in-house tribal counsel regularly work. The Yurok Tribe currently has over 30 departments and programs, ranging from forestry, social services, economic development and fisheries to governmental affairs.
To apply to the Law Clerk position, please email Associate General Counsel, Alexandra Mojado, at amojado@yuroktribe.nsn.us the following materials:
• Cover Letter
• Resumé
• Law School Transcript
• Legal Writing Sample (no more than five pages)
The Law Clerk position is unpaid. Applicants are encouraged to seek financial support through relevant public interest programs or through other public interest scholarships. The Office of the Tribal Attorney is happy to work with students who are seeking school credit for their work.
The Law Clerk position will be based in the Klamath Tribal Office located at 190 Klamath Blvd, Klamath, CA 95548. Law Clerks may be able to work remotely during the COVID emergency. The closest airports are Crescent City (CEC), Arcata (ACV), and Medford (MFR). To learn more about the Yurok Tribe please visit our website at www.yuroktribe.org.
Phone: (707) 482-1350 • Fax: (707) 482-1377
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Law Clerk Job Grade N/A Department Office of the Tribal Attorney Location Klamath Reports To: General Counsel FLSA Status Exempt
ALL HIRING IS SUBJECT TO THE YUROK TRIBE’S HIRING PREFERENCE Salary Range Unpaid; Public Interest Funding and School Credit May Be Available
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the general supervision of the General Counsel, the Law Clerk will assist the Tribal Council and Tribal Departments in the legal matters related to the business of the Tribe. The Law Clerk will complete a variety of professional assignments on behalf of the Tribal Council and departments as assigned by the General Counsel.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Performs legal research (e.g., statutes, regulations, case law, policies), including analysis of legal positions.
2. Prepares memoranda, correspondence, case law briefs, and legislative summaries. 3. Assists in drafting appropriate ordinances and policies that implement the Tribe’s self governance objectives.
4. Provides opinions on documents and policies, and attends meetings concerning tribal regulatory (including environmental) matters.
5. Prepares draft complaints or supporting documents under the supervision of Tribal Attorneys. 6. Attends Tribal Council meetings as requested.
7. Prepares draft legal briefs, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of a case. 8. Other assignments as determined by the General Counsel.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
None.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must have computer knowledge sufficient to do legal research; ability to use the Internet and e mail.
• No convictions for misdemeanor offenses within the last twelve (12) months, no previous felony convictions, or bar ethics violations or on-going ethical violations.
• No findings of a breach of bar ethics. Candidate must disclose if one has occurred or is pending review.
• Highly skilled, both orally and in writing.
• Able to work independently.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
• Current law student
• Demonstrated legal research abilities.
• Excellent written/oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with LexisNexis/LexisAdvance, Westlaw.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
• All applicants are subject to the Tribe’s Drug and Alcohol Free Work Place Policy. This includes pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Yurok Tribal Law does not currently recognize the application of the California Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Prop 215) or other state equivalents.
• When necessary, must be able to lift 25 to 50 pounds.
• Must pass a comprehensive background check prior to employment.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Must have the ability to read, write and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Must have the ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to clients and other employees of the organization. Knowledge of Yurok language is preferred but not required.
REASONING ABILITY:
Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral and/or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
VISION REQUIREMENTS:
• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less).
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors).
• Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships).
• Ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).