Senior Litigation Counsel

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation ("NHLC") is a nonprofit, public interest law firm, and the only law firm in the world dedicated to Native Hawaiian rights. NHLC's mission is to protect and advance Native Hawaiian identity and culture with legal and other forms of advocacy.

NHLC is hiring a Senior Litigation Counsel to join NHLC's impact litigation team. NHLC's Impact Litigation section advocates for government rules, policies, practices, and laws that advance Native Hawaiian rights. These cases have far reaching impact for the Native Hawaiian community, are typically complex, and frequently involve appellate practice. NHLC has argued numerous appellate cases in Hawaii State Courts and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, resulting in historic decisions that have helped to shape and define the contours of Native Hawaiian law.

Representative cases include natural resource protection through the assertion of water rights and environmental protection actions, public access rights, the protection of historic and cultural properties including burial sites, government transparency and accountability, and suits brought to preserve and protect traditional and customary practices. NHLC's impact litigators have extensive trial, evidentiary hearing, and motions-practice experience.

STATUS: Exempt. Full-time. LOCATION: Honolulu, Hawaii. SALARY: $110,000 to $140,000 depending on experience.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Litigation Counsel provides legal services, advice, guidance and assistance on a wide variety of legal issues to the Litigation Director and the organization. Responsibilities include developing and managing assigned cases (case assessment and client interviews, formulation of litigation strategy, discovery, witness preparation, taking and defending depositions, drafting and finalizing all written advocacy, leading at trial and at oral argument on appeal, and leading settlement discussions); developing effective client relationships; regular communication with NHLC colleagues including the Litigation Director, Executive Director and the Board; counseling clients and leadership on substantive matters in NHLC's practice areas; and representing NHLC in the Native Hawaiian community, among Native Hawaiian Organizations, and within the national community of indigenous rights lawyers through writing, speaking engagements and community events.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

8+ years' experience as a practicing attorney in litigation required. Juris Doctorate from an accredited American school of law. Active license to practice law in the State of Hawaii and member in good standing of the Hawaii State Bar Association; if not licensed in Hawaii, the applicant will need to successfully apply for limited admission immediately and secure full admission within the first two years of employment. Experience handling first chair responsibility in litigation; trial and appellate experience preferred. Working knowledge of, or the ability and interest to quickly learn, Native Hawaiian communities, culture, language, lands and waters; Native Hawaiian and/or indigenous law and human rights; state and federal court proceedings and practice; and administrative law.

BENEFITS

Medical and dental insurance; generous combined leave and holiday policy; family leave; flexible hybrid-work policy; and, after one year of employment, a 401(k) contribution plan with employer matching.

Equal Opportunity Employer.

TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter, resume, and list of representative litigation matters to [email protected]. Questions about the position or the application process may also be sent to [email protected]. The full posting is available at https://nativehawaiianlegalcorp.org/job-posting/senior-litigation-counsel/