General Counsel - Sault Ste. Marie Tribe Of Chippewa Indians

JOB POSTING #2025A179

JOB TITLE: General Counsel

DATE: May 14, 2025

DEPARTMENT: Legal Department

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time / Regular / Exempt

SUPERVISES: Senior Attorneys, Tribal Attorney ? Prosecutor, Staff Attorney, Tax and Land Office Administrator, Legal Secretary, Secretary, Board Administrator

REPORTS TO: Tribal Board of Directors

SALARY NEGOTIABLE: Dependent Upon Experience

LOCATION: Sault Ste. Marie

APPLY ONLINE: www.saulttribe.com

POSITION SUMMARY:

The General Counsel, under the direction of the Tribal Board of Directors and is responsible for the legal affairs of the Tribe and its enterprises.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Provides day-to-day legal advice to Tribal officials and team members.
• Researches and prepares legal documents and opinions.
• Reviews and approves legal documents.
• Supervises Legal Department team members and oversees all personnel management activities, directing, supervising, interviewing, hiring, firing, performance appraisal, disciplinary action and leave requests.
• Oversees the financial administration of the department including items such as budget review and development and monitoring program compliance.
• Represents the Sault Tribe in meetings and negotiations, before legislative bodies and Federal, State and Tribal proceedings.
• Researches, studies and monitors legislation and legal proceedings that may affect the interests of the Sault Tribe.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Attends Board of Director workshops and meetings.
• All other job-related duties as assigned.

CONTACTS:

Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor/manager, managers in other departments, Executives and Board of Directors, Federal, State, Tribal and local government representatives, customers and outside vendors/service providers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position primarily sits/lifts up to maximum of 10 pounds. Physical factors include constant use of hearing, near/midrange/far vision, frequent remaining in stationary position and occasional movement throughout office area and professional settings, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling, bending, manual handling and use of color and field of vision and typing. Working conditions include occasional exposure to weather. Potential hazards include frequent computer use, client contact and exposure to office equipment. Working conditions include contact with the general public and as such could be exposed to infectious agents, etc. Protective equipment/clothing needed to perform the job include hazards kit with protective gloves, mask, etc. and personal protective equipment.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: JD or PhD ? Juris Doctorate degree required.

Experience: Minimum of 10 years of legal experience required. Must have experience supervising attorneys and staff.

Certification/License: Admission to Michigan Bar required. Must have a valid driver?s license and be insurable by the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must comply with annual driver?s license review and insurability standards with the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must undergo a Criminal background investigation done under the rules of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Will be required to complete and pass pre-employment drug testing.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Extensive knowledge of Tribal, Federal and State law, and practice, especially Indian Law and Gaming Law; Legal Research and Writing; Federal and State legislative and political processes and legal administration required. Must have excellent organizational and project management skills; provide strong leadership, prioritize project tasks and meet project deadlines. Must be able to effectively to maintain an effective working relationship with coworkers, subordinates and the general public. Must be able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in a diverse range of audiences and settings. Knowledge of research techniques and applicable sources, advanced problem solving and analytical skills required. Must have strategic planning, and governmental administration skills. Must have ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Must have financial administration and management skills. Must have supervisory experience and excellent human resource management and leadership skills and abilities. Must have working knowledge and proficiency in the use of word processing, spreadsheets and databases. Must be able to synthesize, compare and analyze data; interpret legal documents and governmental regulations. Must be able to prepare clear, concise, thorough, and meaningful and grammatically correct written reports, letters, documents. Must be able to navigate complex, comprehensive Federal, State, municipal and inter-tribal networks. Must maintain confidentiality. Native American preferred.

Governmental/Enterprise Sault Tribe Human Resource Department

2186 Shunk Road

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

(906) 635-4937

Toll Free (866) 635-7032

Fax (906) 635-4992