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Alaska Natives and Environmental Law (4 credit hours)
Professor Allen H. Sanders, Professor Victor Flatt.
Part 1: Alaska Natives under Federal Indian Law (Sanders)
What special rights, powers and immunities do Alaska Natives hold? Is their
legal status different from Indian tribes in the lower 48? These questions will
be explored as students are introduced to Federal Indian Law concepts such as
tribal sovereignty, plenary federal power, immunities from state jurisdiction,
fishing and hunting rights and adjudicating the welfare of Indian children.
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANSCA) will also be touched on in discussing
these concepts.
Part 2 Alaska Environmental Law (Flatt)
Alaska is noted for its extraordinary beauty, and for being home to many unique
and unusual plants and animals. Large swaths of its land are owned by the federal
government, or are held by Native Alaskan tribes. This makes environmental law
in Alaska particularly interesting and important. This part of the class will
explore environmental issues with a uniquely Alaskan bent, from the environmental
impacts and laws concerning the drilling for oil in the arctic tundra (ANWR),
to preservation of unique salmon runs and endangered wildlife. The class will
begin with a discussion of the Alaskan environment and major issues concerning
that environment. The class will then have a review of important environmental
laws, paying particular attention to the environmental and natural resources
laws that have particular effect in Alaska, such as the National Environmental
Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and laws governing the use of federal
lands. The class will also examine aspects of Administrative Law, International
treaties that deal with resource use in Alaska, and laws governing Native Alaskans
and Native Alaskan lands that have an effect on environmental law in Alaska.
The class will end with a particular focus on the current issues of drilling
for oil in the Arctic Wildlife National Refuge, and the future of commercial
fishing in Alaska.
Class Schedule
The class will be held Monday - Thursday on the main campus of the University
of Alaska Anchorage. From June 2 to July 22, class will be held from 5:30-7:30
p.m. There will be no classes on July 3 and 4. There will be a reading day on
July 23 and a three-hour final exam on July 24.
Program Activities
During the summer, students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety
of activities. Please see the Alaska Program's schedule
of events for more details.
A limited number of internships will be available for 1L and 2L students from any ABA-approved law school. Internships are non-credit, unpaid opportunities in the Anchorage area. Under the supervision of attorneys, students will work on substantive matters in the areas of native rights and environmental issues.
After receiving a completed application, we ask for a student’s top two internship choices. Students only need to send one set of materials and we will forward them to the employers. If a student has an interest in a particular internship, a specific cover letter can be used, but a generic one is all that is required.
The Alaska Bar Association seeks a 1L or 2L intern to research and facilitate activities serving Alaska’s low-income citizens to improve equal access to justice. Projects include website content development for attorney volunteers and overall community, partner with literacy agency to co-develop legal literacy curriculum, assist in development of targeted outreach materials, and recruitment of pro bono attorneys. This internship is perfect for someone who enjoys being innovative and creative in their work. The Alaska Bar Association, founded in 1896, is an instrumentality of the State of Alaska and one of 14 unified bar associations in the United States administering admissions, discipline and continuing legal education. Dates of internship are June through July 2006 with designated office for intern, downtown parking, computer and research access and flexible work schedule. The intern will be supervised by the Pro Bono Director of the Alaska Bar Association.
The Alaska Court System’s Self-Help Center (SHC) in Nesbett Courthouse, Anchorage, Alaska, is seeking a summer intern to work on a variety of issues affecting pro se litigants in the courts. The SHC is relatively new department within the court to help people without lawyers to navigate the court. The Center provides a range of services to pro se litigants throughout the state of Alaska, including a Family Law Helpline, web based self-help materials, self-help classes, and education and outreach to legal and non-legal service providers across Alaska. The intern will assist in various aspects of service delivery, including delivering existing pro se education classes, developing curricula for new classes, drafting substantive pro se materials for the court’s web page, analyzing pro se behavior/needs in various proceedings, and helping with various other projects that will be tailored to the intern’s interest. The intern will have the opportunity to attend numerous court proceedings at the trial and appellate levels, and will have many opportunities to learn about court administration from the inside out. The intern will also have the opportunity to learn about and interact with numerous legal and non-legal service providers in Alaska. This internship is most appropriate for someone who has just completed his or her first year of law school. This internship will be particularly rewarding to someone interested in access to justice issues. The intern will be supervised by the director of the center. Twenty hours per week from June – July, specific dates to be determined.
The Alaska Immigration Justice Project (AIJP) is a 501(c)(3)non-profit corporation and the only agency in Alaska that provides comprehensive low-cost legal services to low-income immigrants. AIJP’s core mission is to protect the human rights of Alaska’s immigrants by providing comprehensive and quality immigration legal services and facilitating relevant educational forums. The AIJP serves immigrants who are seeking refuge in Alaska after fleeing political persecution or domestic violence, and those seeking to keep their family intact. Our clients are from all over the world, including Gambia, Cameroon, Myanmar (formerly Burma), El Salvador, Colombia, and Mexico. Legal interns will work with the Supervising staff attorney to prepare immigration applications and affidavits, meet with clients and depending on the time of year, attend court hearings.
The Alaska Labor Relations Agency (ALRA) and Alaska Workers’ Compensation Appeals Commission (AWCAC) are adjudicative agencies of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The ALRA administers collective bargaining laws for public employers and employees (including the state, municipalities, university, school district and railroad) in Alaska. It conducts elections to certify or decertify employee representatives; hears unfair labor practice charges brought by employers, unions, or individuals; determines appropriate bargaining units; and enforces collective bargaining agreements. The AWCAC hears appeals from workers compensation decisions of the Alaska Workers Compensation Board in cases decided by the Board. The agencies offer a joint internship to 2 students who have completed their first year of law school, in which the interns can expect to put research, analytical, and writing skills to work right away. Under supervision, interns will do research and case reviews, draft memoranda, and attend hearings. If needed, the interns may perform technical work in support of elections or other proceedings, or be detailed to assist the Occupational Safety and Health Review Board. Interns must comply with confidentiality requirements. The interns will be jointly supervised by the chair of the AWCAC and the administrator of the AWCAC, which are located next to each other. The agencies sponsoring this internship particularly want to foster an interest in administrative, labor, employment, and workers’ compensation law in Alaska. Minimum 20 hours a week for each intern.
The Anderson Law Group in Anchorage, Alaska, is a growing civil practice helping people and companies throughout the state. Based in the heart of downtown Anchorage, ALG’s main offices are minutes away from state and federal courts, state offices, and corporate headquarters. ALG’s Commercial Law Center assists individuals and businesses with a variety of needs. Entity formation, contract drafting and review, SBA certification, and purchase or sale transactions are regular client requests. The firm also emphasizes commercial collections, lien enforcement, and bankruptcy work on behalf of creditors. Whatever the task, the entire commercial team’s philosophy is to create for ALG’s clients and to treat all parties – both allies and adversaries – with professional courtesy and respect. Kevin J. Anderson is the owner of the Anderson Law Group. Mr. Anderson received his B.A. degree from Whitman College and his J.D. degree from the University of Washington. He is a member of the Alaska and American Bar Associations and a past Vice President of the National Bar Association Small Business Section. Mr. Anderson is a frequent lecturer for the University of Alaska Small Business Development Center and sits on the Municipal Board of Assessors. ALG’s support staff plays an active role in delivering results for the firm’s clients. From client intake to closing document management and back-office functions, ALG’s support team is involved in many facets of day-to-day practice.Summer interns can expect to put their developing analytic and writing skills to work right away. Interns will interview prospective clients, perform research, draft pleadings and provide support for ALG counsel in case and transaction negotiations. Students with the requisite credits are encouraged to petition and qualify as Legal Interns under Alaska Bar Rule 44, allowing them to make state court appearances.
Judicial Clerkship with Judge Colleen Ray. The Anchorage Court
is the largest court in Alaska. As a Standing Master/Committing Magistrate in
Anchorage I handle primarily domestic violence hearings and traffic trials.
I also hear juvenile delinquency cases, child protection cases and civil mental
health commitment. I am working on a proposal for a therapeutic juvenile court
in Anchorage and serve on the Child in Need of Aid Rules Committee for the Alaska
Supreme Court. I have been working on training materials and a bench book for
judges statewide. This placement could be a unique opportunity to: Observe civil
and criminal hearings, minor offense trials, and motion practice assist the
court in preparation for hearings and motions utilize research skills assist
the court in the development of training and educational materials aimed at
judges and magistrates statewide in both civil and criminal matters.
Twenty five hours per week. Materials: Resume, cover letter, transcript, and
brief writing sample.
Judicial Clerkship with Judge Patrick McKay. The Anchorage Court is the largest court in Alaska. As a Superior Court Judge in Anchorage, I handle primarily felony trials, pre-trial motions and proceedings, along with petitions to revoke probation and attending maters such as bail and arraignments. I also hear juvenile delinquency cases, appeals from District Court (both criminal and civil) and administrative agencies, and post conviction relief filings. This placement could be a unique opportunity to :
The Law Office of Robert D. Stone, LLC in Anchorage, Alaska, is a thriving civil practice, focusing on plaintiff personal injury cases. Based in the heart of downtown Anchorage, the Law Office of Robert D. Stone, LLC is minutes away from state and federal courts, state offices, and corporate headquarters. Robert D. Stone, a life-long Alaskan, is the owner of the Law Office of Robert D. Stone, LLC. The Law Office of Robert D. Stone LLC’s support staff consists of a paralegal/office manager and a legal secretary. The Law Office of Robert D. Stone LLC’s staff plays an active role in delivering results for the firm’s clients and is involved in many facets of the day-to-day practice. Summer Interns can expect to put their developing analytic and writing skills to work right away. Interns will interview clients and potential witnesses, perform research, draft pleadings, prepare settlement packets to submit to insurance companies, and provide support for the Law Office of Robert D. Stone LLC’s counsel in all areas of the civil litigation practice. Mr. Stone is an active member of the Alaska Bar Association. He has served as a member of the Alaska Bar Association’s Board of Governors, as a member of the Discipline Hearing Committee since 1998, and as a member of the Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection Committee since 1996. Mr. Stone has also been a member of the Alaska Academy of Trial Lawyers since 2000 and has served as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Alaska Academy of Trial Lawyers since 2004. He has been a member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association since 2002, and is admitted to practice in both Alaska and Washington D.C.
Founded in 1970, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is the oldest and largest nonprofit law firm dedicated to asserting and defending the rights of Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide. NARF provides legal representation and technical assistance to Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide - a constituency that often lacks access to the justice system. NARF focuses on applying existing laws and treaties to guarantee that national and state governments live up to their legal obligations. NARF would like to have an intern this summer to work on projects in the following areas: the preservation of tribal existence; the protection of tribal natural resources; the promotion of human rights; the accountability of governments; and the development of Indian law and educating the public about Indian rights, laws, and issues. Interns will be involved specifically in comprehensive research projects and be responsible to submit detailed memoranda of law to their supervising attorney.
The Municipality of Anchorage, with a population of 260,000+ (41.5% of the State), covers almost 2,000 square miles and employs approximately 2,500 employees. The Business & Commercial Law Department of the Municipal Attorney's Office handles all real estate & contract matters for the Municipality, from a simple use permit to sophisticated & complex lease & sale transactions, advising municipal depts regarding business & commercial transactions, negotiating business terms, and drafting use, lease, & sale documents. General subject matter includes real property (earnest money, purchase agreements, sales, exchanges, co-ownership, allocation of purchase price); contracts (purchasing, govt agts, construction, management, professional services); business organizations (corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, acquisition, reorganization & merger, agency); easements & covenants, lease negotiation, drafting & review; title issues; environmental issues (indemnity, risk shifting & avoidance, conservation easements); security interests ( deeds of trust, tax liens, UCC, subordination); entity & enterprise sales, acquisitions & exchanges; accounting (financial statements, governmental accounting,); and insurance. As issues arise, interns will engage in work in all areas, with emphasis on areas of interest if possible, including litigation & non-litigation matters, research, drafting memoranda and documentations, and meetings with departments, department heads, and executives. This internship has a time commitment of 30 hours per week. The deadline for this internship is March 15, 2008.
Please note: Internships will only be available for students registered for the Alaska Natives and Environmental Law course, and will require a time commitment of 25 hours per week.
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, transcript, and brief writing sample with your program registration form and deposit by April 30, 2008.
For more information on internships, contact Shawn Lipton directly at (206) 398-4104, or via e-mail at liptons@seattleu.edu.