Legal Fellow
The Alaska Federation of Natives seeks a full-time Legal Fellow to complete a two-year term in our Anchorage office working on our Subsistence Defense Project. This position will develop and implement a multi-governmental legal and policy workplan to address food insecurity issues affecting Alaska Natives, rural Alaskans, and their families. The main focus of this position well be persevering and strengthening the subsistence hunting and fishing rights of Alaska Natives. This position will report to AFN’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel.
Responsibilities
The below statements describe the general nature and level of work expected of this position. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of the Legal Fellow.
- Development and implement strategies to advance the goals of the Subsistence Defense Project, including U.S. v. Alaska, which is on appeal to the Ninth Circuit and will eventually be appealed to the United States Supreme.
- Conduct legal research on federal and state hunting and fishing laws and prepare legal memoranda related to subsistence.
- Respond to federal and state legislative and administrative changes to Alaska’s subsistence laws.
- Work with a team of attorneys, policy analysts, Native leaders (and their employees) on complex legislative and administrative advocacy.
- Coordinate with other Native entities, food security advocacy groups, and legal services organizations to identify opportunities and execute strategies to advance the hunting and fishing rights of Alaska Natives.
- Be available to travel occasionally around the state and work outside typical work hours during active litigation.
Qualifications
This position requires the following credentials.
- Ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative, practical systemic solutions.
- Excellent written and oral communication, research, negotiation, and analytical skills; superior attention to detail.
- Willingness to work well independently and on a team, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines on time-sensitive projects.
- Experience in Alaska and within the Alaska Native community (i.e., cultural competence) preferred.
Education
Law degree and a license to practice law (or willingness to sit for a state bar exam – Alaska preferred)
Experience
Minimum of two years of experience as a licensed attorney in a major law firm, in house legal department, and/or government agency (including clerkships). Recent law school graduates with appropriate credentials will be considered, regardless of these requirements.
Compensation
AFN offers a competitive salary, generous leave schedule, and considerable relocation stipend. Salary is commensurate with years of experience.
Applications
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample to [email protected] or 3000 A St., Ste. 210, Anchorage, AK 99503. If e-mailed, please make Legal Fellow your subject line.
Equal Opportunity Employer
AFN is an EO employer committed to providing employment without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
Consistent with applicable federal law, AFN provides an Indian preference to qualified candidates of American Indian or Alaska Native heritage, as well as a Veterans preference to eligible individuals with requisite military service.
Not Comprehensive
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the position.