STAFF ATTORNEY

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The Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic (TCPDC) provides experiential learning opportunities for second and third-year law students through the representation of indigent defendants who have been charged with crimes and who qualify for court-appointed counsel in the Tulalip Tribal Court. The Program Operation Specialist reports to the Director of the Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic and manages an active caseload of tribal cases. The Program Operation Specialist represents the legal interests of clients charged with crimes in the Tulalip Tribal Court, through the application of Tribal policies and regulations governing the Tribal court process and staffing court calendars to provide continuity of representation given the teaching duties of the Director.

Staff Attorneys provide in-person support to the Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic (TCPDC) team by staffing the Tulalip Tribal Court office located on the Tulalip Indian Reservation. Staff Attorneys also appears in court during court calendars where the full time public defenders are engaged in teaching related activities.  Staff Attorneys are integral to maintaining the continuity of representation for Tulalip Tribal Court clients. The TCPDC represents indigent Native American defendants who have been charged with crimes and who qualify for court-appointed counsel in the Tulalip Tribal Court.

The position of Staff Attorney requires the ability to exercise independent judgment, maintain client confidences, and to exercise discretion when representing persons charged in the Tulalip Tribal Court.  The position requires the ability to vigorously advocate on behalf of the client during Tulalip Tribal Court hearings. Timeliness, strong communication and negotiation skills are essential. The position requires regular attention to detail, management of electronic records, client contact, court appearances, both virtual and in person.

The Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic is a unique way for Tribes to provide public defense services to their members while simultaneously creating learning opportunities and partnerships for University of Washington Law School students, while centering Tribal sovereignty.

Staff attorneys are integral to providing continuity of representation for Tribal Court Clinic clients and summer coverage for Tribal Court Clinic cases handled by clinic students and faculty. The position supports program objectives by providing case assistance to clinic attorneys, faculty and students, providing legal representation in Tribal court hearings and trials, and analyzing and contributing to the improvement of the Tribal justice system through the Criminal Operations Committee and the Law and Justice Committee.

This position requires knowledge of legal practice in Tribal Courts including admission to practice law at the Tulalip Tribal Court or the ability to sit for and pass the Tulalip Bar exam within 30 days of hire. The position also requires active license to practice law/membership the Washington State Bar Association. The Program Operator Specialist will interface with Tribal members, the Tulalip Tribal Court, the Tulalip Prosecuting Attorney and should demonstrate the ability to exercise independent judgment, maintain client confidences, meet the highest standards for ethical professional practice, and to exercise discretion when representing persons charged in the Tulalip Tribal Court. The position requires the ability to vigorously advocate on behalf of the client during Tulalip Tribal Court hearings.

The position requires excellent analytic and research skills, the ability to effectively advocate in oral and written communications, competence in effectively working with diverse communities, and ability to effectively manage frequent deadlines.   The position requires the ability to work with or to learn a variety of software programs including word, excel and proprietary case management systems such as Clio and Odyssey.  Timeliness, strong communication and negotiation skills are essential.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Staff Attorney’s primary responsibilities in representing the interests of adults charged with criminal offenses in the Tulalip Tribal Court include:

Legal Services: 60%