ASSOCIATE JUDGE, LOWER SIOUX TRIBAL COURT Lower Sioux Indian Community
Lower Sioux, Saint Paul, MN, United States
Date Opened:
April 21, 2026
Position Title:
Associate Judge of the Lower Sioux Tribal Court
Hours:
Part-time contract services
Contract Term:
Two year appointment; may be eligible for successive two-year terms
Pay Rate:
DOQ; competitive
Application Deadline:
June 15, 2026
The Associate Judge is responsible for fairly and impartially hearing and deciding judicial matters within the jurisdiction of the Lower Sioux Indian Community Tribal Court. In addition to the responsibilities listed below, the Associate Judge is responsible for protecting and enhancing the Tribe’s sovereignty and administers all cases and controversies arising in law or equity under the Community’s Constitution.
The Associate Judge is expected to be available year-round to preside over hearings at the Tribal Court located on the Lower Sioux Indian Community Reservation in Minnesota. The Associate Judge will handle cases where the Chief Judge has a conflict or as otherwise assigned by the Chief Judge. Duties include, but are not limited to, presiding over a variety of hearings related to Child Welfare, Adult Guardianship, Traffic Infractions, and other matters arising under the Community’s laws. The Associate Judge could also be assigned to mediate cases that are before the Chief Judge. The Associate Judge must prepare and issue timely written orders and judgments and must keep accurate records of cases and court hearings.
Responsibilities also include the assisting the Chief Trial Judge in overall development of court rules and procedures; expansion of court jurisdiction; administrative operations of the Tribal Court; supervision of and training of Court employees; case management; and ancillary services.
Additional responsibilities may include: providing assistance and recommendations to the Community to seek out and secure funding to support Tribal Court operations; working with the Chief Trial Judge to submit the Court’s proposed budgets and reports/expenses/expenditures to the Community Council; work with the Community’s grants/finance and planning departments for consultation in the pursuit of grants; development and/or revision of ordinances for approval by the Community Council; attendance of Community education and awareness meetings; and attendance of trainings.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
A Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
A member in good standing of the bar of any state and licensed to practice in the highest court of any state.
At least twenty-five (25) years or older.
A minimum of at least ten (10) years of experience of practicing law as a licensed attorney.
Be a person of honor, integrity and good moral character.
REQ’D QUALS., CONT.
Outstanding interpersonal skills and experience supervising other legal professionals.
Prior experience in accounting and administering budgets.
Must have a sincere interest in assisting the Community to strengthen its Tribal Court and administer justice in a fair and impartial manner.
Show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
Ability to promote a harassment-free environment.
Must be able to hold hearings in person on the Reservation and virtually.
Must have no felony conviction by a court of the United States or of any State of the United States for a felony, as felony is defined by the laws of that jurisdiction, or misdemeanor conviction within five years immediately preceding the proposed contract.
Must have no conviction by a federal, state, or tribal court of an act involving dishonesty, corruption, a felony involving moral turpitude, elder abuse, or child abuse.
Must disclose any ethical complaints against the Candidate and the results.
No prior incidents of a breach of confidentiality.
Must agree to a background investigation conducted by the Community.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Five (5) years’ experience in the field of Tribal law and federal Indian law and demonstrated experience with the principals of sovereignty and jurisdiction (which may include service on a tribal, federal, or state court bench).
Experience as a Tribal judge exercising civil and criminal jurisdiction.
Experience developing and managing court policies and procedures, whether within a Tribal court jurisdiction or otherwise.
Experience working with court-related computer programs.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
Cover letter.
Résumé.
Two writing samples with confidential information redacted.
References:
Required: name, address, phone number, and email of three attorneys who are not immediate family members.
Preferred: among the three total references, a reference from opposing counsel and/or a reference from a judge the Candidate has appeared in front of within the last three years.
References may also submit written recommendations to the Tribal Council.
Native preference applies.
Please submit your application materials via email by the deadline, subject line “LSIC Associate Judge Application,” to Lower Sioux General Counsel Nizhoni Smith at Nizhoni.Smith@lowersioux-nsn.gov.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
April 21, 2026
Position Title:
Associate Judge of the Lower Sioux Tribal Court
Hours:
Part-time contract services
Contract Term:
Two year appointment; may be eligible for successive two-year terms
Pay Rate:
DOQ; competitive
Application Deadline:
June 15, 2026
The Associate Judge is responsible for fairly and impartially hearing and deciding judicial matters within the jurisdiction of the Lower Sioux Indian Community Tribal Court. In addition to the responsibilities listed below, the Associate Judge is responsible for protecting and enhancing the Tribe’s sovereignty and administers all cases and controversies arising in law or equity under the Community’s Constitution.
The Associate Judge is expected to be available year-round to preside over hearings at the Tribal Court located on the Lower Sioux Indian Community Reservation in Minnesota. The Associate Judge will handle cases where the Chief Judge has a conflict or as otherwise assigned by the Chief Judge. Duties include, but are not limited to, presiding over a variety of hearings related to Child Welfare, Adult Guardianship, Traffic Infractions, and other matters arising under the Community’s laws. The Associate Judge could also be assigned to mediate cases that are before the Chief Judge. The Associate Judge must prepare and issue timely written orders and judgments and must keep accurate records of cases and court hearings.
Responsibilities also include the assisting the Chief Trial Judge in overall development of court rules and procedures; expansion of court jurisdiction; administrative operations of the Tribal Court; supervision of and training of Court employees; case management; and ancillary services.
Additional responsibilities may include: providing assistance and recommendations to the Community to seek out and secure funding to support Tribal Court operations; working with the Chief Trial Judge to submit the Court’s proposed budgets and reports/expenses/expenditures to the Community Council; work with the Community’s grants/finance and planning departments for consultation in the pursuit of grants; development and/or revision of ordinances for approval by the Community Council; attendance of Community education and awareness meetings; and attendance of trainings.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
A Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
A member in good standing of the bar of any state and licensed to practice in the highest court of any state.
At least twenty-five (25) years or older.
A minimum of at least ten (10) years of experience of practicing law as a licensed attorney.
Be a person of honor, integrity and good moral character.
REQ’D QUALS., CONT.
Outstanding interpersonal skills and experience supervising other legal professionals.
Prior experience in accounting and administering budgets.
Must have a sincere interest in assisting the Community to strengthen its Tribal Court and administer justice in a fair and impartial manner.
Show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
Ability to promote a harassment-free environment.
Must be able to hold hearings in person on the Reservation and virtually.
Must have no felony conviction by a court of the United States or of any State of the United States for a felony, as felony is defined by the laws of that jurisdiction, or misdemeanor conviction within five years immediately preceding the proposed contract.
Must have no conviction by a federal, state, or tribal court of an act involving dishonesty, corruption, a felony involving moral turpitude, elder abuse, or child abuse.
Must disclose any ethical complaints against the Candidate and the results.
No prior incidents of a breach of confidentiality.
Must agree to a background investigation conducted by the Community.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Five (5) years’ experience in the field of Tribal law and federal Indian law and demonstrated experience with the principals of sovereignty and jurisdiction (which may include service on a tribal, federal, or state court bench).
Experience as a Tribal judge exercising civil and criminal jurisdiction.
Experience developing and managing court policies and procedures, whether within a Tribal court jurisdiction or otherwise.
Experience working with court-related computer programs.
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS
Cover letter.
Résumé.
Two writing samples with confidential information redacted.
References:
Required: name, address, phone number, and email of three attorneys who are not immediate family members.
Preferred: among the three total references, a reference from opposing counsel and/or a reference from a judge the Candidate has appeared in front of within the last three years.
References may also submit written recommendations to the Tribal Council.
Native preference applies.
Please submit your application materials via email by the deadline, subject line “LSIC Associate Judge Application,” to Lower Sioux General Counsel Nizhoni Smith at Nizhoni.Smith@lowersioux-nsn.gov.
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