Cowlitz Indian Tribe
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
Overview 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, and 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.
Responsibilities
Represents the Tribe in judicial, executive, or administrative proceedings and in litigation in 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 coordinate efforts and information exchange.
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.
Supports financial objectives by exercising control over 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 ICWA litigation strategies and progress.
Manages and communicates with outside counsel.
Coordinates legal strategy sessions with management and department heads.
Prepares reports related to legal department activities for the tribal government.
Reviews and recommends actions on a wide range of complex legal issues for Tribal Administration and Tribal Council.
Increases staff effectiveness through recruitment, orientation, training, coaching, and performance management.
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 the Legal Department and other departments as requested.
Enhances professional growth through participation in seminars 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 staff.
Ability to operate standard office software in a Windows environment.
Ability to handle a wide range of complex legal Indian issues and develop expert knowledge of the Cowlitz Constitution, By-laws, Code of Ordinances, Resolutions, and Policies.
Ability to negotiate and draft contracts, compacts, and leases.
Ability to analyze and organize facts, evidence, and legal precedents and present information clearly.
Ability to appraise legislation for need, meaning, intent, and policy expression.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to adhere to high standards of professional responsibility and conduct.
Ability to provide candor to Tribal Council.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships across diverse backgrounds.
Ability to represent the organization professionally and with community respect.
Demonstrates moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, and a desire to assist others.
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 with 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 for work-related purposes.
Must pass a background screening / investigation per established requirements.
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 safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and 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 talks and listens. May use hands and fingers for computer equipment. May walk, stand, reach, and sit for extended periods. May lift and/or carry objects up to 20 pounds.
Work Environment Work is generally performed in an interior/office or courtroom environment with usually minimal noise. Travel within local communities and out of state may be required. Frequent evening and weekend work may be required.
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Overview 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, and 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.
Responsibilities
Represents the Tribe in judicial, executive, or administrative proceedings and in litigation in 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 coordinate efforts and information exchange.
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.
Supports financial objectives by exercising control over 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 ICWA litigation strategies and progress.
Manages and communicates with outside counsel.
Coordinates legal strategy sessions with management and department heads.
Prepares reports related to legal department activities for the tribal government.
Reviews and recommends actions on a wide range of complex legal issues for Tribal Administration and Tribal Council.
Increases staff effectiveness through recruitment, orientation, training, coaching, and performance management.
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 the Legal Department and other departments as requested.
Enhances professional growth through participation in seminars 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 staff.
Ability to operate standard office software in a Windows environment.
Ability to handle a wide range of complex legal Indian issues and develop expert knowledge of the Cowlitz Constitution, By-laws, Code of Ordinances, Resolutions, and Policies.
Ability to negotiate and draft contracts, compacts, and leases.
Ability to analyze and organize facts, evidence, and legal precedents and present information clearly.
Ability to appraise legislation for need, meaning, intent, and policy expression.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to adhere to high standards of professional responsibility and conduct.
Ability to provide candor to Tribal Council.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships across diverse backgrounds.
Ability to represent the organization professionally and with community respect.
Demonstrates moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, and a desire to assist others.
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 with 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 for work-related purposes.
Must pass a background screening / investigation per established requirements.
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 safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and 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 talks and listens. May use hands and fingers for computer equipment. May walk, stand, reach, and sit for extended periods. May lift and/or carry objects up to 20 pounds.
Work Environment Work is generally performed in an interior/office or courtroom environment with usually minimal noise. Travel within local communities and out of state may be required. Frequent evening and weekend work may be required.
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