Native American Law Blog

First Carcieri challenge case to US Supreme Court

From Indian Country Today:

"The U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to review a federal appeals court ruling that challenges the Interior Department’s decision to take into trust the land that the Gun Lake Casino is built on. This crucial case is the first challenge based on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Carcieri v. Salzar to reach the high court, but it also raises issues that potentially threaten not only the security of Indian trust lands, but also public lands such as forests and national parks held in trust by the federal government."

See the full story HERE.

 

twp

US Attorney for Arizona resigns..

As reported tonight:

"

Amid fallout from Operation Fast and Furious 

Dennis Burke, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, has delivered his letter of resignation to President Obama - effective immediately.

The move comes amid fallout from Operation Fast and Furious, that was designed to track gun buyers and major weapons traffickers along the border.  One of the guns was linked to the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry last year.

“My long tenure in public service has been intensely gratifying.  It has also been intensely demanding.  For me, it is the right time to move on to pursue other aspects of my career and my life and allow the office to move ahead," Burke said in the letter.

Burke was appointed U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona in 2009.

Burke's departure comes the same day as the transfer of ATF acting director Kenneth Melson to a new post."

So what difference does that make for Indian Law and the practitioners thereof?

1)  Arizona contains a big part of Indian Country....the Navajo Nation, Tohono O'odham, and others.

2)  Burke was a VERY political appointee......and was appointed when his predecessor, the only Native American woman to be appointed as a US Attorney, well-respected Diane Humetewa, resigned on request to provide the space for Mr. Burke.

Perhaps next time it would be better to leave the competent and knowledgable person in the office in the future, rather than appoint the political hack?  Just a thought.........just a thought......

 

twp

Job opportunities in the field

Eastern Shoshone Tribe Seeks Staff Attorney – Office of Attorney General. The job announcement can be accessed by clicking here. 

University of New Mexico School of Law seeks applicants for faculty position to teach Indian law. The job announcement can be accessed by clicking here.

The Navajo Nation Office of Legislative Counsel seeks Attorney. The job announcement can be accessed by click here.

The Navajo Nation Washington, DC Office seeks Government and Legislative Counsel. The job announcement can be accessed by click here.

Happy hunting!

-Carolyn

Cherokee Phoenix writes about MJIL Program

The oldest Native American newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix, has reported on the new Master of Jurisprudence in Indian Law program at The University of Tulsa College of Law.  You can find the story HERE.

 

 

Job opening....

The University of Wisconsin Law School invites applications for one or more tenure-track faculty positions to begin Fall 2012 (negotiable).  Applications are welcome across legal fields and at the intersection of law and other academic disciplines.  The University of Wisconsin Law School has a strong institutional commitment to diversity of all types, and we encourage applications from those whose backgrounds can further contribute to the diversity of the faculty.  Applicants should submit a letter of interest, current resume (including a list of teaching interests), a research agenda, and references to:

Professor Anuj C. Desai, Chair, Faculty Appointments Committee

University of Wisconsin Law School

975 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706-1399

OR via e-mail to acdesai@wisc.edu.

 

The University of Wisconsin Madison is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer.