Summer 2026 Law Clerk
Full Time • Louisville
At Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP, we are proud to stand at the forefront of Tribal advocacy. Our summer program offers law students the opportunity to work alongside experienced attorneys on meaningful matters that directly impact Tribal nations and communities. Clerks gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and insight into the practice of Tribal and Federal Indian law in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP is a national law firm dedicated to the representation of American Indian tribes and organizations. We provide legal counsel across a broad spectrum of services including business transactions, litigation, and governmental affairs in tribal, state, and federal forums.
We are seeking highly motivated candidates for our 10-12 week Summer 2026 Law Clerk position in our Louisville, Colorado office. This is a full-time, 40-hour per week, in-person clerkship.
What to Expect
As a Summer Law Clerk, you will become an integral part of our legal team. You can expect to:
As a Summer Law Clerk, you will become an integral part of our legal team. You can expect to:
· Work directly with attorneys on both litigation and transactional matters, contributing to active client files.
· Gain exposure to a wide range of issues impacting Tribal Nations, including sovereignty, jurisdiction, child welfare, natural resources, governance, and business matters.
· Conduct legal research and draft high-quality work product, including research memoranda, motions, briefs, contracts, and other legal documents.
· Observe and participate in legal practice by attending hearings, client meetings, negotiations, and internal strategy sessions when available.
· Develop professionally through mentorship, feedback, and opportunities to discuss career paths and experiences with attorneys who are leaders in their field.
· Contribute meaningfully to projects that support the Firm’s mission of advancing and protecting the rights of Tribal Nations and their citizens.
Required Qualifications:
- Completion of 2L year by Summer 2026
- Completion of Native American Law coursework prior to the start of the clerkship
- Strong legal research skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
Desired Qualifications:
· Demonstrated interest in practicing Tribal Law and Federal Indian Law
· Familiarity with Tribal communities, cultures, or governments
· Prior experience working with Native Nations or organizations serving Indigenous peoples
Compensation: The expected hourly range for this position is $36.00 – $49.00 per hour. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including the candidate’s work location, experience, qualifications, and skills.
Application should include:
- Resume
- Cover Letter with Legal writing sample, Law school transcript, a letter of recommendation and 2-3 references
Application Deadline: October 1, 2025
Compensation: $36.00 - $49.00 per hour
OUR MISSION
Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP is a majority native-owned law firm. As tribal advocates, there could be no greater honor or privilege than having the opportunity to directly serve tribes in promoting economic development, addressing pressing infrastructure issues, protecting tribal water rights, and advancing the sovereignty and jurisdiction of tribal nations.
Patterson Real Bird & Rasmussen LLP is dedicated to the representation of American Indian tribes, tribal entities, and individual Indians across the United States. Our mission is to provide superior legal services specifically tailored to meet the needs of our clients — while also honoring the sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and self-governance of those clients.
OUR WORK
We serve as General Counsel and Special Counsel to Indian tribal governments and their enterprises to implement their laws, regulations, policies and priorities for their tribes and members. We work as true partners with every level of tribal governments and their staff to effectuate a plan for the delivery of legal services that is appropriate to meet the challenges and demands of the client.
We also work to prevent attacks on tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction, and ensure that the Federal government upholds its treaty and trust responsibilities to Indian tribes. We resolve issues on the local level, in collaboration with national tribal organizations and through advocacy with law makers in Washington, D.C.
CAREERS
If you are pursuing a career in the legal field and have an interest in federal Indian law, consider joining our team at Native Law Group. With offices in Louisville, Colorado, Fort Yates, North Dakota and Washington, D.C., our firm is dedicated to the representation of American Indian tribes, tribal entities, and individual Indians across the United States.
Being part of Native Law Group means you also are part of a powerful nationwide effort to advance the causes of tribal sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and self-governance for the benefit of Tribal Nations.
(if you already have a resume on Indeed)