Staff:

Casey Douma, In-House Attorney

Scope of Work

Government Affairs Director

The Government Affairs Office (GAO) Director is responsible for the oversight and general direction of the Governmental Affairs Programs. The GAO Director identifies short-term and long-range issues, goals and objectives and is responsible for the development of a strategic plan for the Pueblo’s executive legal operations.  The Director advises and represents the Pueblo of Laguna in general legal matters as assigned by the Governor, including contract matters, relations with the United States Government and federal agencies, as well as relations with state and local governments and agencies.

The GAO Director establishes and maintains effective communications with federal and state legislative bodies, and public and private organizations, staying abreast of all pending legislation having probable legal implications at the Pueblo of Laguna, apprises the Governor with required or recommended solutions to achieve, correct or alleviate impact.  The GAO Director appears before and responds to federal and state legislative committees, litigation in federal, state, municipal or tribal courts on behalf of the Pueblo of Laguna, works with appropriate representatives to develop a national legislative agenda, and maintains agendas throughout each congressional session.

The GAO Director attends Pueblo Council meetings, Staff Officer meetings, entity board meetings, and other meetings as directed by the Governor in order to provide regular reports on legal issues relevant to the Pueblo of Laguna.  She provides general legal services to programs and departments, routinely reviewing legal issues that arise in the day-to-day operations.  The GAO Director provides legal advice and representation on legal matters which include but are not limited to economic development, gaming, taxation, Pueblo lands, natural resources, environmental resources, cultural resources, civil and criminal law, administrative matters, health and welfare issues, employment law, and on any issue that may have a potential impact on the Pueblo, employees and/or operations.

The GAO Director coordinates legal work and activities and keeps proper records of work performed or received. The GAO Director recommends the use and/or procurement of outside counsel as necessary or prudent, monitors legal work assigned to outside counsel, and maintains active communication with outside counsel to prevent duplication of effort and ensures an effective resolution of problems. 

The GAO Director also reviews legal documents, including but not limited to court decisions, proposed legislation, rules, regulations, and pending legislation to protect the Pueblo of Laguna’s interests.  The Director drafts legal documents, ordinances, regulations, policies, procedures, position papers, legal memoranda, correspondence and executive summaries, and achieves financial objectives by reviewing and providing the annual budget for programs within the GAO span of control.  In addition, the Director reviews, makes recommendations, and approves all department requests having organizational impact regarding staffing, budgetary, and administrative activities of all programs within span of control

The Pueblo Staff Officers and Council will often assign a project or subject matter area to the Government Affairs Office.  The Director ensures the successful implementation of all programs within her span of control and may be assigned to work with various Pueblo Boards and Committees on issues of concern, attend meetings, or other external meetings as directed.

In-House Attorney

The IN HOUSE ATTORNEY advises and represents the Pueblo of Laguna in general legal matters, as assigned by the Governor and the Pueblo Council.  The scope of work includes representing the Pueblo in litigation, contract matters, relations with the U.S. Government and in relations with state and local governments and agencies.

The In-House Attorney works with various boards and committees as assigned. Furthermore, the In-House Attorney provides general legal services to the Pueblo of Laguna programs and departments on issues that arise on a day-to-day basis. The general legal services include, but are not limited to, subject matters such as economic development, gaming, taxation, tribal lands, natural resources, environmental resources, cultural resources, civil and criminal law, administrative matters, health and welfare issues, and employment law. These duties also include drafting legal documents, ordinances, regulations, policies, procedures, position papers, legal memoranda and correspondence.