Job Announcement

Position: Assistant General Counsel Open: 10/27/25

Location: White Earth Close: Until Filled

Pay: 49.18/Hr. or DOQ Benefits: Full Status: Full Time

This position is responsible for providing comprehensive legal advice and counsel, representation, document drafting, document review, and strategic collaboration with a wide range of White Earth governmental departments and enterprises. The role is instrumental in safeguarding tribal sovereignty, navigating complex legal landscapes and actively supporting the Tribe’s self- determination and economic development initiatives. The position emphasizes transactional law and litigation, providing vital legal representation to the White Earth Nation and its programs, departments, enterprises and agencies Serve as tribal attorney in matters that affect the White Earth Nation.

Position Outcomes:

Legal Advisor and Strategic Counsel

Provide comprehensive legal advice and counsel to the Tribal Council, Executive Director, and various Tribal Divisions, Departments, and Programs on all legal matters affecting the White Earth Nation, including the implications of draft, proposed, and existing tribal regulations, statutes, policies, and practices.

Economic Development and Transactional Law

Actively facilitate economic development efforts by serving as legal counsel to White Earth Nation division, programs, entities, and businesses with respect to complex transactions, including gaming, energy, telecommunications, construction, and Indian Country Taxation.

Litigation and Prosecution

Represent and prosecute on behalf of the Tribe in litigation across federal, state and tribal courts, as well as before various quasi-judicial or administrative agencies. This includes receiving and analyzing evidence to decide on prosecution of White Earth Tribal Code violations, and preparing legal briefs, strategic arguments, and testimony for court matters such as housing, employment, appeals, juvenile, child protection, environmental, conservation, and traffic cases.

Governance, Policy and Compliance

Develop, review, and update internal policies, procedures, and tribal ordinances in collaboration with the Tribal Counsel and various departments, ensuring adherence to tribal laws and promoting legal, compliance, and risk management best practices throughout the tribal government and its enterprises.

Specialized Tribal Law & Cultural Preservation

Handle specialized legal areas critical to tribal sovereignty and cultural preservation, including:

Representing the Tribe in cases under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), assisting agencies and reviewing related policies.

External Coordination

Coordinate effectively with external legal partners and outside counsel, and assist with the retention and supervision for complex, or specialized cases, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality legal services and effective representation.

General Duties

Perform other duties and responsibilities as required or assigned by the General Counsel and/or the Deputy General Counsel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Legal and Business Acumen

Knowledge of and ability to follow and apply the policies and procedures of the White Earth Tribal government.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to effectively explain complex legal matters to diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Analytical and Problem -Solving Skills

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, including the ability to use logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses, apply general rules to specific problems, combine information to form conclusions, and develop creative solutions to legal problems while assessing risk.

Drafting and Documentation

Excellent legal drafting skills for a wide range of documentation, including contracts, agreements, policies, ordinances, resolutions, legal memorandums, and litigation documents.

Leadership and Management

Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including the ability to effectively manage outside counsel, and influence decision-making processes within the tribal government.

Organization and Autonomy

Effective time management and organizational skills, with the capacity to work effectively under pressure, meet strict deadlines, and manage multiple tasks and projects.

Ability to work independently within established policies, procedures, and schedules, exercising sound judgement.

Professional Conduct

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise impeccable discretion, particularly regarding sensitive personnel or organizational matters, and respecting the Tribe’s inherent right to control its information and data.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

Juris doctor or equivalent law degree from an ABA-accredited law school with prior study and/or practice in the field of Indian law, realty, treaties and Federal regulations.

Must not have been disbarred by any jurisdiction.

Be licensed to practice within the State of Minnesota by the MN state bar or have the ability to obtain licensure within 12 months of employment.

Preferred qualification

Minimum of three (3) years of active legal practice with litigation experience, or other legal experience involving Indian Law or related areas.

Experience in developing tribal policies and ordinances, reviewing commercial contracts, and handling employment law matters.

Licensed in multiple jurisdictions, including tribal, state, and federal bars.

Valid Driver’s License and insurance for travel between sites and other related business.

Must be able to pass a criminal background check and drug screening.

Mail Applications to:

White Earth Tribal Council Attention: Human Resources

P.O. Box 418

White Earth, MN 56591

Download Applications at: www.whiteearth.com

EEO with Native Preference

A Drug Free Workplace – Tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required prior to and during employment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $49.18 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Ogema, MN 56569 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Ogema, MN 56569: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person