In-House Legal Services – Request for Proposals
Request for Proposals
In House Legal Services
Cowessess First Nation
October 4, 2024
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Cowessess First Nation is seeking an In-House Legal Counsel for its General Council. Cowessess First Nation is a vibrant community located in the Qu’Appelle Valley in southern Saskatchewan. We are a diverse and innovative First Nation which has multi-faceted legal requirements.
We are a Treaty Land Entitlement First Nation with many economic development ventures which include joint ventures and limited partnerships. This includes wind and solar farms as well as a grain farm and ranch operation. We own and operate two (2) gas and grocery stores, one in the City of Regina and one located on the First Nation. We also have an 18-hole golf course located on the First Nation.
Our band administration currently has over 200 employees including our K-12 school, Cowessess Community Education Centre which has an enrollment of over 200 students. We provide services including but not limited to mental health, addictions, medical, housing, infrastructure, membership, economic development, and lands leasing. There are also specific claims activities that the First Nation may be negotiating in the future.
SCOPE OF WORK
The selected legal counsel will be required to provide legal advice and services to Cowessess First Nation administration and leadership in an in-house position. This position would be responsible for the following:
- Providing accurate, relevant, and timely advice to leadership and other members of staff on a variety of legal topics.
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating various contracts and agreements.
- Managing and mitigating legal risks by designing and implementing acts, policies and procedures.
- Ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations that apply to the Nation.
- Promoting legal, compliance and risk management best practice throughout the Nation.
- Communicating with and managing any third-party bodies such as external counsel or auditors.
- Designing and delivering legal training to leadership and staff.
- Staying up-to-date with changes to legislation, particularly in relation to laws, rules and regulations that directly affect the Nation.
- Assisting with the creation, development and implementation for the Judicial arm of Cowessess First Nation.
- Liaising with senior members of staff.
In submitting your proposal, we would request that you include proposal information respecting the following:
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
A comprehensive profile of your services which includes the following:
- an outline of the services that you can offer with particular emphasis in the areas of administrative, treaty, and corporate law including information on any related organizations, tribunals, administrative bodies or other related entities to which your firm acts or may have acted for in the past;
- an outline along with a biography for the provisions of the requested legal services including their background and experience working in the areas of administrative, treaty, judicial and corporate law;
- an outline of the experience you may have in representing First Nations and First Nation’s organizations; and
- any client references to whom we may contact concerning your experience in relation to the legal services requested.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Responses received will be reviewed and evaluated based on criteria including level of skill and experience in the areas for which the legal services are required along with the costs proposed for provision of the legal services.
BUDGET AND SCHEDULE
A detailed outline of the proposed fees and disbursements that would be associated with respect to the provision of your services including a return benefit to the Nation.
Costs associated with the preparation of the proposal will be your responsibility. Further, interviews may be conducted by Cowessess First Nation leadership with respect to prospective lawyers as part of the selection process.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
If you are interested in submitting a proposal for the services requested, please provide to us one (1) hard copy along with one (1) electronic copy of your proposal which may be submitted to us care of the following address:
Cowessess First Nation
PO Box 100
COWESSESS, SK S0G 5L0
Attention: Chief and Council
Email: melissa.lerat@cowessessfn.com
The deadline date for submission of proposals will be 4:30 pm on October 25, 2024.
We appreciate your consideration and look forward to receiving your proposal. If you have any questions or require any further information, please contact me directly at our office 306.696.2520 or via email.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This in house legal counsel position would be a contractual employee with the First Nation. This position would be subject to all terms and conditions of Cowessess First Nation including confidentiality and conflict of interest clauses.
