jobs description

Commitment to Citizen Service

Service encompasses all aspects of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indian’s governmental operations. Every employee shares the responsibility to provide exemplary service, dignity, and respect to all Tribal Citizens, the Tribal Council, and staff members. To this end, all employees have an obligation to identify and report any service problems, issues, or concerns and through designated channels, initiate, recommend, and actively participate in solutions.

Position Summary:

Oversees and manages all legal affairs for the Pokagon Gaming Authority (PGA), including its subordinate boards and committees, and provides legal services to PGA’s commercial operations.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as chief legal counsel to the PGA Board of Directors, including subordinate boards and committees and provide legal advice and services to the Pokagon Gaming Authority and Four Winds management. Responsibilities include:
• Ensuring that Four Winds legal positions, actions and decisions are aligned with PGA Board requirements, goals, and priorities by regular coordination with Four Winds VP of Legal Affairs and Four Winds management.
• Maintaining uniformity in legal positions with the Pokagon Band government and among its other enterprises and instrumentalities through regular coordination with Four Winds VP of Legal Affairs and Pokagon Band General Counsel.
• Coordinating and guiding the work of outside counsel for PGA and coordinating outside counsel for the Pokagon Band regarding matters involving gaming and other economic development.
• Provide legal guidance to PGA, Tribal Council, and Four Winds for gaming and non-gaming economic development initiatives, including assistance with strategic planning and analysis involving capital development projects and renovation of existing assets.
• Handle land acquisition and land-in-trust projects for PGA Board and Tribal Council involving economic development, including compliance with legal requirements under gaming law, environmental law, real estate law, administrative law, and other areas of law.
• Draft tribal laws, resolutions, regulations, and policies related to economic development and draft charters, by-laws, and other organizational documents to establish and develop commercial and governmental entities and their subordinate boards and committees.
• Negotiate and draft intergovernmental agreements with state and local governments on behalf of the PGA Board and Tribal Council to further gaming and other economic development initiatives, including agreements involving law enforcement, liquor and other regulation, taxation and other governmental functions and activities.
• Assist the PGA Board, Four Winds, and Tribal Council with financing for economic and governmental capital development, including:
• New financings, refinancing and debt consolidation, and amendments to existing financial agreements.
• Negotiating and securing engagements with outside counsel and other consultants to represent borrower(s) in financial transactions.
• Assisting with compliance reporting requirements regarding existing financial agreements.
• Review, negotiate and draft professional service agreements involving market/feasibility studies, architectural services, engineering services, and construction services for development and renovation projects.
• Provide legal guidance and direction as needed for environmental consultants and engineering professionals involving regulation at the tribal, state and federal level for wetland and other environmental permitting, land use permitting, hazardous waste regulation, utility services, and other infrastructure needs concerning PGA/Four Winds development projects.
• Coordinate with Four Winds VP of Legal Affairs and General Counsel for the Pokagon Band regarding litigation at the trial and appellate levels in federal, state and tribal courts and in administrative and private forums and serve as lead or co-counsel for special cases.
• Monitor and report to PGA and Four Winds management on legal developments at the federal and state level and work with lobbyists and consultants to assist in efforts to protect rights and assert the Pokagon Band’s and PGA’s interests under federal and state law, including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
• Assist PGA/Four Winds and the Pokagon Band with compliance and advocacy involving the NIGC, MGCB, and other gaming and regulatory programs at the tribal, federal and state level, including negotiations and dispute resolution concerning violations and compliance issues.
• Assist Four Winds legal counsel and HR professionals with legal guidance regarding employment and labor law matters, including employment contracts, employment disputes, development of personnel policies and procedures, and implementation of other human resource strategies and goals.
• Assist Four Winds VP of Legal Affairs and Four Winds management with review, negotiation, and drafting commercial agreements and the resolution of issues and disputes involving such agreements.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned and consistent with this position.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Perform other related functions as assigned.

Equipment:

• Standard office equipment.
• Systems used: MS Office applications.

Position Requirements:

• Juris doctor degree from an accredited law school is required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years’ experience practicing federal Indian law, with substantial experience in tribal gaming and non-gaming economic development and the commercial lending for such development.
• Admitted to practice in Michigan and/or Indiana or must be admitted to practice in another state and gain admission in Michigan or Indiana at the earliest opportunity after commencing employment.
• High level of written and oral communication skills and superior ability to advocate and persuade.
• Demonstrated commitment to Indian affairs as shown through significant experience working with Indian tribes or in the area of Indian affairs is preferred.
• Exceptional ability to think on feet and to identify and analyze legal issues and present legal theories.
• Willingness to accept unusual and challenging assignments and an ability to identify successful strategies to obtain desired results.
• Highly independent and organized and able to manage significant number of active matters simultaneously.
• Willingness to work the hours necessary, including evenings and weekends, to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position, and to maintain deadlines.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff and client agencies and departments.
• Professional demeanor and appearance and enthusiasm for the law and public service.
• Thorough knowledge of and commitment to professional ethics, particularly those rules that relate to the representation of governments and other organizations.
• Excellent references with substantial personal knowledge of applicant’s legal abilities.
• Proficiency in legal research techniques, superior electronic and legal research skills, and thorough knowledge of legal and other research resources.
• Proficiency in general computer skills and applications, including MS-Word and Outlook.
• Valid state driver’s license and able to meet minimum insurance requirements in order to use GSA vehicles.
• Employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a criminal background investigation and submission to drug and alcohol testing.

Indian Preference:

• Pokagon Band Preference Code applies.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is generally sedentary in nature and will frequently require sitting, however standing and walking will occasionally be necessary.
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to operate equipment.
• Frequently required to talk and hear.

Work Environment:

• General office environment. Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment available.

Competencies:

• Attention to Detail
• Exemplifying Integrity
• Fostering Communication
• Initiative
• Teamwork

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New Buffalo MI United States

salary-criteria

Apply - General Counsel (PGA)