Chief Judge

CHIEF JUDGE JUDICIAL SERVICES

All proposals must be delivered by electronic mail on or before 5:00 p.m. February 9 2026 to:

I. Scope of Services

Wilton Rancheria California (Tribe) seeks a qualified individual to serve as the Chief Judge for the Wilton Rancheria Tribal Court. The Chief Judge will:

1. Preside over and decide all cases properly brought before the Court.
2. Have the power to conduct hearings and otherwise undertake all duties and exercise all authority of a judicial officer under the law.
3. Enter all appropriate orders and judgments.
4. Issue all appropriate warrants and subpoenas.
5. Maintain integrity fairness and impartiality in decision-making.
6. Participate in administrative matters to support the Wilton Rancheria judicial branch.

In addition to the duties of a judge the Chief Judge shall also have the following administrative duties:

1. Present a budget for the Wilton Rancheria Courts to the Chairperson and Tribal Council for approval pursuant to the Budget and Audit Act.
2. Be responsible for creating and maintaining the rules of the Court in coordination with the Tribal Council not in conflict with the Wilton Rancheria Code for the orderly and efficient administration of justice.
3. Provide feedback regarding the Court Administrative Officer the Clerk deputy clerks bailiff(s) and any other court personnel required to efficiently administer and operate the Tribal Court.

II. Tribal Background and the Judicial Branch of Government

Wilton Rancheria the only federally recognized tribe in Sacramento County is proud to be Californias Capitol Tribe. Our Citizens are primarily Miwok and Nisenan people descendants of the Penutian linguistic family. The ancestors of Wilton Rancheria have inhabited the Sacramento Valley since time immemorial. Wilton Rancherias government is divided into four separate branches: General Council Office of the Chairperson (Executive branch) Tribal Council (Legislative branch) and Tribal Court (Judicial branch). Please visit our website for additional information.

The Wilton Rancheria Constitution provides that the judicial branch of the Tribe shall be the Tribal Court. The Tribal Court has original jurisdiction over all cases and controversies both criminal and civil in law or in equity arising under the Constitution laws customs and traditions of Wilton Rancheria including cases in which Wilton Rancheria or its officials and employees shall be a party. All judges shall serve four (4) year terms of office beginning from the date of their appointment unless removed for good cause or by death or resignation.

III. Eligibility

To be eligible to serve as Chief Judge a person must:

A. Be admitted to practice law before the highest court of any state;

B. Be at least thirty-five (35) years of age;

C. Never have been convicted of a felony or been convicted within the ten (10) years preceding his appointment of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude corruption or dishonesty;

D. Have a familiarity with federal Indian law.

IV. Selection Criteria

The Tribe will evaluate proposals according to the following factors and relative points. To ensure your proposal receives full consideration provide a complete response and in the same order as the categories and factors listed below.

A. General Experience (25 points).

1. List your name telephone number years of legal experience and courts of licensure.

2. Provide the following information in tabular form for not less than three (3) tribes for which you provide(d) judicial services:

(a) Clients name location contact person and current telephone number.

(b) Brief description of scope of work provided to client.

(c) Present status of relationship with client.

(d) Service dates with the client.

B. Specific Expertise (20 points). This category addresses the extent to which the applicant has the qualifications and experience to successfully perform the work. Factors which may be addressed include but are not limited to:

1. Your experience with policies regulations and laws applicable to tribes tribal entities and governments.

2. Your experience working with tribes regionally either as legal counsel or as a Tribal judge.

3. Your experience with working with elected officials and administrative staff.

C. Judicial Philosophy (30 points). Please include a brief response to each of the following questions.

1. How would you balance legal precedents with new evolving legal issues that may not have been addressed in prior rulings
2. Describe your approach to ethical decision-making. How do you ensure impartiality and fairness in your rulings especially when there is a potential for personal bias
3. What are the considerations of a judge in making decisions that set legal precedents for future cases
4. How would you handle a situation where your interpretation of Tribal law may conflict with the expectations of the Tribal government or Tribal members
5. You can find the Tribes Constitution online at: . After reviewing what stands out to you the most

D. References (15 points). Please provide a minimum of three (3) references (Tribal Government preferred) that are able to comment on their experience working with you. The references may be duplicative of those provided above. References should include the following:

1. Tribal/Company Name.

2. Address.

3. Contact name.

4. Telephone number.

1. Email address.

E. Native American Preference (10 points). This RFP is not restricted to Native American individuals; however preference will be given to Native American individuals in accordance with the Tribes Indian Preference policy.

V. Instructions

This RFP is open until the deadline below. All proposals should be made in accordance with the following instructions:

A. A cover letter signed by the applicant.

B. Responses to the information requested in this RFP; and

C. Disclosure of any past or present assignments relationships or other employment that the applicant has or has had that may create a conflict of interest or an appearance of a conflict of interest in serving the Tribe. This includes but is not limited to disclosing any relationship personal or professional with any past or present elected official officer judge employee contractor or citizen of Wilton Rancheria.

D. All proposals must be delivered by electronic mail on or before 5:00 p.m. February 9 2026 to: