Deputy General Counsel

Job Status: 23-1011 Salary: $110,552.00 – $202,841.60 

Status:  Full-Time, Exempt, Permanent  Location: Ionkwakiohkwaró:ron  

Department: Office of General Counsel Reports to: General Counsel 

Telecommute: Yes Fleet: No  

Summary: The Deputy General Counsel provides strategic legal advice and counsel to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and all of its governmental and commercial entities to advance compliance with applicable laws, and minimize legal risk to the Tribe and its assets. The Deputy General Counsel advocates for the Tribe’s interests in negotiations and legal and administrative proceedings as directed. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:  

• Assist the General Counsel in reporting regularly to the governing body on all assigned directives and assignments. 
• Identify and assess legal risks and opportunities and advise internal clients accordingly. 
• Negotiate, draft and review contracts for the Tribe. 
• Represent the Tribe in Court and administrative proceedings as needed. 
• Draft, review, and provide feedback and suggestions on Tribal ordinances, codes, rules, regulations and policies. 
• Provide legal advice, opinions, strategies, and assistance to Tribal departments and programs. 
• Negotiate, draft and review agreements with other governments and governmental agencies.  
• Special projects and initiatives for housing, finance and banking, taxation and jurisdiction matters. 
• Oversee and coordinate retained outside legal counsel as directed by the General Counsel to ensure the Tribe’s interests are being protected. 
• Assist the General Counsel in planning, developing, coordinating, advising, and directing the activities of the office. 
• At the direction of General Counsel attend conferences, educational courses and training, to maintain professional growth and development and improve professional competence. 
• Exhibit a friendly and courteous demeanor with colleagues and community members. 
• Other related duties as assigned by General Counsel. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:  No supervisory responsibilities are required of this position. 

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Due to the sensitive nature of information obtained, must maintain strict confidentiality at all times. Have experience and ability to draft legislation, ordinances, codes, resolutions, policies and procedures, and other legal documents.  

Education and/or Experience: 

Required: 

• Juris Doctor (JD) Degree from an accredited law school and hold a license to practice law in New York State. If the Attorney is admitted in another state and does not have a New York law license, the Attorney must obtain a New York law license within one year of hiring. 
• Have at least 5 years of experience practicing tribal law. 

Preferred: 

At least six (6) months experience in the following: 

• Working for Indian tribes either in-house or in private practice. 
• Working in the area of federal Indian law. 
• Litigation experience. 
• Knowledge of Akwesasne community history and political dynamics. 

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Research, Strong oral and written communication skills along with research skills required in conjunction with the following: 

• Ability to work closely and effectively with the General Counsel, department staff, and elected officials on matters affecting the Tribe or any of its entities or departments. 
• Excellent organization skills; ability prioritize and accomplish work. 
• Good judgment in making decisions and considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with elected officials, other attorneys, and all colleagues.  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Akwesasne community, elected officials, staff, and third parties with whom the Tribe engages. 
• Ability to be persuasive and tactful in controversial situations. 
• Self-motivation and starter and ability to work independently. 
• Demonstrated ability to meet demanding deadlines and manage tasks in a fast-paced work environment. 
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy. 

Reasoning Ability:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe strives to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to the policy of nondiscrimination based on race, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, physical disability, veteran status or any other non-job-related factor.  

The successful candidate must pass a drug test and background check prior to employment.