Corporate Counsel

Job Description

***This Job is located in Flandreau, SD***

JOB SUMMARY: The Corporate Counsel, under the interim direction of the Tribal Attorney General, will be tasked with the responsibility of advising on and advocating for economic development ventures and projects of the Tribe and its tribal businesses, including but not limited to Royal River Casino & Hotel, Native Nations Cannabis, and 605 Lending. The Corporate Counsel will work closely with business partners, consultants, vendors, elected officials, and outside legal counsel to fulfill the position’s obligations. The Corporate Counsel will also assist on other matters assigned related to his/her representation of the Tribe. This position will require knowledge of cannabis law, tribal lending, gaming, land acquisitions, and business development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The attorney shall perform legal services as requested by the Tribe as its Corporate Counsel. The duties required of the Corporate Counsel shall be subject to the interim supervision and direction of the Attorney General before eventually being transitioned to the supervision and direction of the Tribe’s Executive Committee.

• The Corporate Counsel will be primarily responsible for the commercial representation of the Tribe’s economic development and tribal business needs. Said legal services may include but are not limited to attendance at Board of Directors meetings and others relevant to the position, assisting with tribal business formations, mergers, and acquisitions, advising relevant parties, including the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, of applicable legal, policy, and business matters, assertion of any valid claims through appropriate legal proceedings, preparation and review of legal documents, assistance in commercial negotiations, preparation and execution of any settlement agreements, representation before appropriate agencies, tribunals, and legislative bodies, and other legal matters as may be specified by the Executive Committee.

• Facilitate and engage in strategic planning with the Tribe’s Executive Committee and business managers to ensure their economic goals and objectives are being met or how to better reach them.

• Advise on issues related to the Tribe’s involvement with its businesses and the governance thereof.

• Assist in ensuring the Tribe and its tribal businesses are compliant with applicable laws and regulations.

• Assist in mitigating the Tribe’s and its business’ overall legal risk.

• Conduct due diligence reviews on potential and actual business transactions (and associated parties therewith) and will assist with drafting and negotiating the terms of a business transaction.

• Manage and assist with lawsuits and other legal disputes involving the Tribe, its tribal businesses, and/or personnel in their official capacity.

• Assist in planning, coordinating, and facilitating collaborative engagement with other Tribes and tribal businesses as requested and assigned.

• Train, assist, and advise relevant tribal business personnel, including managers, human resources, and compliance staff, to ensure compliance with relevant tribal and federal laws and regulations.

• Serve as the main legal point of contact on the Tribe’s economic development and tribal business expansion projects.

• Recommend to the FSST Attorney General and Executive Committee, any revisions and amendments to the Tribe’s Codes and other codes as needed to advance the business interests of the Tribe.

• Advising or presenting to tribal government departments, programs, committees, commissions, and other regulatory bodies as assigned.

• Drafting legal memos, pleadings, and other correspondence as required by the Tribe and/or as assigned.

• Identify, research, review, and advise on legal issues impacting the Tribe, its departments, programs, and businesses relevant to the position.

• Regularly present updates to the Attorney General, Executive Committee, tribal business’ Board of Directors, managers, and relevant staff.
  This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of duties. A skilled Corporate Counsel will identify other duties that need to be completed, and other duties may be assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFCATIONS:

• Must be a licensed attorney in good standing with the State Bar of South Dakota, or any other state bar, and can be admitted in South Dakota within three (3) months of employment.
• Must have at least four (4) years of experience as a practicing attorney, with experience in Indian Law, Tribal Business/Economic Development, Cannabis Law, Gaming, Tribal Lending, and/or a combination thereof.
• Must have a juris doctorate from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
• No felony or misdemeanor convictions involving a crime of moral turpitude.
• Must be able to efficiently utilize Microsoft Office and Westlaw.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.