Wayne Morse Legal Fellowship with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon

Location: This is a hybrid position based out of the Tribe’s office in Siletz, Oregon. Work will be conducted remotely with the expectation of occasional travel to Siletz, Oregon.  

Salary: $6,000 stipend, which the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics will deposit in the fellow’s student account at the end of May.  

Who should apply: 1Ls and 2Ls hoping to work for a Tribe or with government agencies, environmental organizations, or law firms that provide counsel to Tribal governments.  

Description: Full-time, 10-week summer fellowship  

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) is a sovereign nation with government headquarters in Siletz, Oregon. The CTSI legal department is committed to providing representation to the Tribal government with a focus on contract, employment, child dependency, natural resources, housing and administrative law. The fellow will work directly with the Tribe’s legal department and leadership team. The fellow may also attend some leadership meetings, cultural events and Tribal Court hearings. UO’s Environmental and Natural Resources Law Center can be a resource for the fellow, providing research guidance if needed.

Potential projects may include:

  • Legal research, writing, and practical thinking on issues related to Tribal Government operations.  
  • Assisting with projects related to State of Oregon legislation as it pertains to Tribal governments.  
  • Opportunity to learn and be involved in other aspects of CTSI operations.  

Expectations and opportunities:

  • Incoming Wayne Morse Law Fellows attend an orientation lunch in the spring to get to know one another better and learn about the program. At the end of the summer, each fellow will submit a short report about their experience. When fall term begins, Law Fellows gather over lunch to debrief and share what they learned with one another.
  • Fellows are invited to participate in the life of the Wayne Morse Center during and after their fellowship. This includes public lectures and panels (usually held in the law school) and occasional lunches and receptions with speakers. One-on-one mentoring is available during law school and beyond.
  • If asked, Law Fellows are expected to attend a gathering with donors to the Wayne Morse Center and share about their fellowship experiences.

Qualifications: Strong research, writing, and organizational skills. The ability to self-direct within a set of existing procedures and ask questions when necessary. Good communication skills, both orally and in writing. Good judgment. Ability to communicate professionally and collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds, including backgrounds different from the candidate’s own.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The selection committee will begin reviewing applications on Wednesday, February 14 at noon. We will notify finalists as quickly as possible. Our goal is to hold interviews in mid-to late February.

Please email a single PDF document that includes a cover letter, resume, law school transcript (unofficial is fine), and list of three references to the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics at waynemorsecenter@uoregon.edu.  

  • Address cover letter to Vanessa Jackson, JD, c/o Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics, 1515 Agate Street, Eugene, OR 97403.
  • Include both a UO and home (non-UO) email address on your resume.
  • Please check that the phone numbers and email addresses of references are current.

Wayne Morse Law Fellow alums in this office: Vanessa Jackson, J.D. 

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