The Tulalip Tribes of Washington is a federally recognized Indian Tribe located on the Tulalip Reservation in the Puget Sound, approximately 30 miles north of Seattle. The Tulalip Tribes are the successors in interest to the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and other allied bands signatory to the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott. The Tulalip Office of Civil Legal Aid (TOCLA) is a tribal civil legal aid office that provides free legal assistance to low-income tribal members with general civil legal issues including those that affect safety, family integrity, health, access to public benefits, and education. Collectively, TOCLA assists clients in identifying legal and non-legal needs, then works with them holistically to address barriers to accessing services. TOCLA currently houses four legal divisions: Civil Legal Aid Victim Advocacy, Parent Dependency Representation, and Children Dependency Representation. TOCLA is also looking for a qualified and passionate candidate to fill their Post Graduate Children’s Attorney Fellow position.

TOCLA and the Tulalip Tribal Court received a grant to fund a post graduate fellowship opportunity for recent law grads to gain experience as a youth attorney in a tribal dependency court system in efforts to expand the interest and commitment of new attorneys into the field of youth representation in tribal dependency matters.  Fellows will gain an understanding of tribal and state dependency and child welfare practice, while obtaining experience working directly with children and youth clients under the supervision of experienced child welfare attorneys. Fellows do not need to have passed the WA State Bar exam, but can practice as a Rule 9 intern under attorney supervision. The fellowship lasts for eight months, and the fellow will be paid a competitive salary for a 32 hour a week position.

If you have questions about the position, please contact TOCLA’s supervising attorney Chori Folkman at: cfolkman@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov.  Applicants should go to this website to apply:  https://employment.tulaliptribes-nsn.gov/job/298/attorney_childrens_fellow_open_until_filled   Applicants who are Native American or other people of color, members of the LGBTIA+ community, people with disabilities, members of other underrepresented or marginalized groups, or those with lived experienced are especially encouraged to apply.  This position will be open until filled.