BSNC Summer Legal Associate

SUMMARY

Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) is currently seeking a qualified Summer Associate for our Legal Department. As a Summer Associate, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in-house for an Alaska Native Corporation. This position is designed to provide exposure to corporate law, employment law, contract law, federal Indian law and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), and other areas of the law impacting ANCs on a day-to-day basis. You will assist the General Counsel and the Legal Department with research, discovery, drafting, document preparation, contract review, and other duties. This position is ideal for a law school student interested in developing their writing skills and knowledge of the law in a corporate and business setting.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Essential Duties and Responsibilities are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed for this position and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. Other duties may be assigned.

• Conduct legal research and draft memorandums with recommendations and guidance.
• Draft letters and responsive documents.
• Review contracts and make edits and recommendations.
• Assist with employment law matters, including high-level employee investigations and employee relations matters.
• Attend meetings, take notes, identify legal issues, and recommend solutions.

• Receive guidance, training, and mentoring from professional personnel in planning and carrying out activities and assignments.

• Receive guidance from BSNC’s General Counsel on providing legal representation to the company, subsidiaries and managers and support the requests for assistance or proactively intercede, review and comment on legal matters at issue. 

• Participate in Intern Program activities such as training sessions, group meetings, intern projects and team building.

• Interact directly with supervisor(s), colleague(s) and/or other internal staff in the planning of assignments and the resolution of day-to-day operational problems.

• Respectfully interact with supervisors, officials, peers, other employees, and the public.
• Learn and adapt to modern technology as it relates to office practices and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Work effectively despite interruptions and have attention to detail.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize work as directed by supervisor.
• Use a computer/laptop, related software, transcribing equipment, and other standard office equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS - EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required (Minimum Necessary) Qualifications

• Applicants must be a BSNC shareholder or shareholder descendant.

• Applicants must be current law student.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Ability to communicate in English effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and follow complex, detailed technical instructions.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

• Ability to follow direction as provided by direct supervisor.
• Must have a positive, friendly attitude and be a team player.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

DEADLINE for the COMPLETED APPLICATION PACKET MUST BE RECEIVED BY April 18, 2025, AND INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

1. Application and current resume – please complete the online application and attach your resume to your application on the BSNC Careers website at
   www.beringstraits.com/career
   .
2. Current law school transcript* must be sent to the address below.
3. Legal writing sample.
4. Proof of BSNC shareholder status* - BSNC shareholder status may be demonstrated by submitting a family tree document and legal documents including, but not limited to, birth certificates linking the applicant to a BSNC original shareholder sent to the address below. You can request a family free document from BSNC’s Shareholder Development Department at
   [email protected]
   .

*If you already have these documents on file with the Beringia Settlement Trust scholarship program, you may complete a Release of Information (ROI) to allow BSNC to access such documents.

Once you have completed the job application online, please submit documents to the BSNC Shareholder Development Department at

Or mail to the following address:

Bering Straits Native Corporation

Attn: Shareholder Development Department

3301 C St. Ste. 100

Anchorage, AK 99503

NECESSARY PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Employee must maintain a constant state of mental alertness at all times. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods of time; most of time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunity to move about.

DOT COVERED/SAFETY-SENSITIVE ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• This position is not subject to federal requirements regarding Department of Transportation “safety-sensitive” functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work Environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be borne by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

The job is performed in an office setting with exposure to computer screens and requires extensive use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and multi-line telephone system. The work described herein is primarily in a modern office setting. Occasional travel may be required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position does not supervise employees.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFYING FACTORS

As a condition of employment, you will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening and have acceptable background check results. If applicable to the contract, you must also obtain the appropriate clearance levels required and be able to obtain access to military installations.

Shareholder Preference

BSNC gives hiring, promotion, training, and retention preference to BSNC shareholders, shareholder descendants and shareholder spouses who meet the minimum qualifications for the job.

Bering Straits Native Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, or gender-identity, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

We participate in the E-Verify Employment Verification Program. We are a drug free workplace.