New job Judicial Appointment in Michigan

NOTICE OF AVAILABLE JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT

MARCH 30, 2021

DESCRIPTION. The Tribal Council of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians (“Pokagon Band’) is seeking letters of interest and resumes from those interested in being appointed to fill a vacancy in a Justice position on the Pokagon Band’s Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals is composed of three justices, who serve four-year terms of office. The remaining term of office of the vacant position will expire February 14, 2022. Under the Pokagon Band’s Constitution, the Tribal Judiciary is an independent branch of the Pokagon Band government. The Tribal Judiciary includes the Pokagon Band Tribal Court, which is a trial court with general jurisdiction to hear cases arising under tribal jurisdiction, and a Court of Appeals, which hears all appeals of Tribal Court decisions. A copy of the Pokagon Band’s Constitution and Tribal Court Code is available on the Pokagon Band’s website.

ELIGIBILITY. A person is eligible to serve as a Justice of the Court of Appeals if he or she:

(a) Is at least thirty (30) years of age;

(b) Is not presently a candidate for, or a member of Tribal Council, the Salary Commission, the Election Board, the Ethics Board, or a member of any other board or commission of the Band or any Band enterprise or other entity controlled by or affiliated with the Band;

(c) Is not presently an employee of the Band, or any Band enterprise or other entity controlled by or affiliated with the Band;

(d) Has not been convicted within the last ten (10) years of a crime subject to imprisonment for a term of one (1) year or longer, excepting those crimes determined by the Election Board to relate to the furtherance of the Band’s tribal sovereignty rights; and

(e) Is an attorney who is or has been licensed to practice law before the courts of a state in the United States, provided, that if the person is a Pokagon Band citizen, he or she does not have to be an attorney. If required to be an attorney, he or she must not have been disbarred from practicing law in any tribal, federal, or state court, provided however, that if a person has been disbarred but later reinstated, such a person shall be eligible.

TIME COMMITMENT. The estimated time commitment is approximately 3 hours per month, unless an appeal is filed.

COMPENSATION. Appeals Court Justices are independent contractors and are compensated for service at rates recommended by the Pokagon Band’s Salary Commission and approved by the Tribal Council and also are eligible for reimbursement for travel expenses incurred in accordance with applicable policies.

ETHICS REQUIREMENTS. As Public Officials, Appeals Court Justices are subject to the Pokagon Band Code of Ethics. A copy of the Code of Ethics may be obtained from the Pokagon Band’s website.

HOW TO APPLY. Persons who wish to be considered for appointment as an Appeals Court Justice must submit a letter of interest and a current resume, by one of the following three methods:

Mail: Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

Attn: Mary Eccles, Manager

Department of Human Resources

P.O. Box 180

Dowagiac, Michigan 49047

Fax: (269) 782-4253, Attn: Mary Eccles

Email: [email protected]

APPOINTMENT PROCESS. Prospective candidates will be reviewed by a Selection Committee. Appointments to the Court of Appeals are made by the Tribal Council. All persons recommended by the Selection Committee who wish to be considered for appointment as an Appeals Court Justice must be present at the meeting at which the Tribal Council will review the written statements of interest and resumes of such persons, but the Tribal Council may for good cause waive this requirement. The Tribal Council has not yet established the meeting date at which it will consider the appointment.

QUESTIONS. Questions regarding this Notice and the opportunity to serve on the Pokagon Band Court of Appeals may be directed to the Pokagon Band Office of General Counsel at (269) 783-0970.

DEADLINE. This posting shall remain open until filled.