Department of Justice

The mission of the Department of Justice is to promote and defend the legal rights and interests of the tribal government, its members and the reservation community.  The department consists of four programs: the Office of Legal Counsel, the Office of the Prosecutor, the Office of Child Support Enforcement and the Tribal Members Legal Aid Program. 

Office of Legal Counsel 

The mission of the Office of Legal Counsel is to promote and defend the legal rights and interests of the tribal government.  The Office of Legal Counsel provides legal services to the Board of Trustees, tribal administrators, staff and policy bodies.   It is located in the Board of Trustees Building. 

Typical work performed by the Office of Legal Counsel includes:
1.         Researching matters affecting the legal rights and interests of the tribal government,
2.         Advising the Board of Trustees and its agents concerning the tribe’s legal rights and interests and developing strategies to promote and protect those interests,
3.         Litigating on behalf of the tribe before tribal, federal, and state courts and administrative agencies,
4.         Drafting legislation (for tribal, federal, state and local legislative bodies) promoting and defending the legal rights and interests of the tribal government, tribal members and the reservation community,
5.         Drafting and reviewing legal agreements that promote and protect the legal rights and interests of the tribal government,
6.         Negotiating settlements and agreements on behalf of the tribal government,
7.         Lobbying on behalf of the tribal government before the executive officials, legislative bodies and administrative bodies of tribal, federal, state and local governments,
8.         Conducting public relations promoting and defending the tribal government’s legal rights and interests, and
9.         Representing the tribal government in legal matters generally.

Staff and contract attorneys of the Office of Legal Counsel:
            Attorney General: Christopher L. Burford
            Deputy Attorney General: M. Brent Leonhard
            Associate Attorney General: [currently being advertised]
            Of Counsel: Daniel Hester of Hester and Zehren, Boulder Colorado
                                J. D. Williams of Williams Law Office, Portland, Oregon
            Legal Secretary: Pat Minthorn

To Contact the Department of Justice, Office of Legal Counsel:

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Department of Justice
73239 Confederated Way
P.O. Box 638
Pendleton, OR  97801
Phone: (541) 966 – 2030

Map of the Mission community

 

Office of the Prosecutor

The mission of the Office of the Prosecutor is to protect the reservation community from crime and from violations of civil regulations. The tribal Prosecutor is the chief law enforcement officer of the tribe. The Prosecutor's Office is located in the Tribal Court building.

Typical work performed by the Office of the Prosecutor includes:

1. Prosecuting criminal cases necessary for the protection of tribal interests of the CTUIR,
2. Advising, assisting and training the Tribal Police Department,
3. Advising and representing other tribal departments in the enforcement of tribal civil statutes,
4. Advising and consulting with the Law and Order Committee regarding the function and development of the tribes' criminal justice system, and
5. Defending tribal sovereignty with other jurisdictions.

Staff of the Office of the Prosecutor:
Tribal Prosecutor: Brent Hall
Legal Secretary: Linda Webber
Victim/Witness Liaison: (vacant)

To Contact the Office of the Prosecutor:

CTUIR Office of the Prosecutor
73303 Confederated Way
P.O. Box 638
Pendleton, OR 97801
Phone: (541) 966 - 2166
Fax: (541) 278 - 5381
E-mail: lindawebber@ctuir.com

Map of the Mission community

 

Tribal Members Legal Aid Program

The mission of the Tribal Members' Legal Aid Program is to promote and defend the legal rights and interests of low-income tribal members involved in civil legal disputes. The Department of Justice contracts with Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) to provide these services. LASO is located at 365 S.E. Third St., Pendleton.

Typical work performed by the Tribal Members' Legal Aid Program includes:

1.Providing competent legal advice to low-income tribal members regarding their legal rights, interests and responsibilities regarding civil legal matters,
2.Conducting civil litigation, including drafting letters, complaints, motions, responsive pleadings and other trial memoranda, advocating at hearings and trials, and negotiating settlements, on behalf of low-income tribal members regarding civil legal matters,
3.Representing low-income tribal members in federal and state administrative matters,
4.Drafting legal agreements, contracts and instruments that promote and protect the legal rights and interests of tribal members involved in civil legal disputes, and
5.Educating tribal members as to their legal rights through classes, presentations and other outreach efforts.

Staff of the Tribal Members Legal Aid Program:
Kit Morgan, Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Services of Oregon

To contact the Tribal Members Legal Aid Program:

Legal Aid Services of Oregon
Pendleton Regional Office
365 S.E. Third St
P.O. Box 1327
Pendleton, OR 97801
Phone: (541) 276 - 6685, Ext. 206
Fax: (541) 276 - 4549
email: kit.morgan@lasoregon.net

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