DHA HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR NORTH TEXAS

JOB VACANCY

JUNE 9, 2021

Job Title:                ASSISTANT COUNSEL – REAL ESTATE/BUSINESS
Salary Range:       $79,838 - $119,757

Location:                 LEGAL

Summary: Under direction of the General Counsel, responsible for assisting the General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel staff, and agency staff in handling legal matters referred to the department including, without limitation, drafting and monitoring contracts/agreements, assisting in the tracking of real estate development and acquisition transactions, handling forcible entry and detainer matters and other in-house litigation matters as determined by the General Counsel, assisting in the preparation of litigation documents, researching legal issues and preparing legal memoranda, ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal procurement laws and regulations, attending meetings when necessary, and responding to state and federal public information and Texas Public Information Act requests, in each instance as determined by the General Counsel. 

Essential Job Functions:  The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification.  Shown are duties intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Supports and serves at the direction of the General Counsel; provides oral and written legal advice and regulatory guidance to DHA managers and staff in a variety of areas, that may include, but are not limited to, real estate matters, development and/or modernization activities, property sale/acquisition, mixed finance, contracts and procurement, leasing, etc.
• Assists and participates in real estate, contracting, and procurement negotiations.
• Drafts contracts/agreements and other legal documents and serves as a liaison between the Office of the General Counsel and other departments to ensure proper contract maintenance.
• Drafts and reviews documents related to real estate development projects and contracting and procurement.
• Drafts contracts for real estate, construction, services and procurement; drafts amendments, leases, easements, and other documents and advises with respect to real estate (commercial and residential) transactions.
• Drafts DHA resolutions, policies, program procedures and official correspondence, monitors changes in legislation and policy to assist in recommending updates to policies, procedures, rules and regulations as necessary to assure compliance with federal, state and local laws; advises with respect to legislation and ordinances.
• Participates in negotiations and drafts documentation for real estate and redevelopment transactions, loans and construction projects; advises with respect to environmental matters.
• Assists and provides support services to outside counsel on DHA legal matters with respect to real estate, contract, procurement and policy matters.
• Analyzes and resolves routine and complex legal issues, keeping internal client and General Counsel informed of the disposition of the matter.
• Prepares monthly, bi-weekly, weekly reports and correspondence as required to keep General Counsel informed and advised of all legal work being performed.
• Researches legal issues and prepares memoranda of law, legal briefs, and legal opinions as assigned.
• Prepares pleadings and other court documents.
• Reviews legal publications or notices for pertinent information and disseminates to appropriate personnel.
• Provides legal counsel and training to staff in the monitoring of regulatory compliance.
• Assures absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, client records, and DHA information.
• Provides assistance to other DHA attorneys and outside counsel and works as a team member.
• Enthusiastically promotes the President/CEO’s and the Office of the General Counsel’s priorities for the operations of DHA.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of DHA organization, operations, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of Texas criminal and civil statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies and procedures, and applicable Federal rules and regulations.
• Knowledge in the application of DHA, HUD, and other federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations, and rules affecting public and assisted housing management programs, real estate development and contracts and procurement law.
• Knowledge of Texas judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of legal precedents and court decisions impacting public housing issues.
• Knowledge of the duties, powers, authorities and limitations of an in-house attorney.
• Knowledge of legal research methods, techniques, sources, and databases.
• Knowledge of legal case management procedures, ethics and techniques.
• Skill in reviewing and assessing legal issues and documents.
• Skill in reading, interpreting, understanding and applying legal standards and procedures, applicable Federal rules and regulations, and DHA policies and procedures.
• Skill in researching and identifying precedence in case law.
• Skill in verbal and written communication, and exercising judgment and discretion in decision making and negotiations.
• Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software.
• Skill in establishing cooperative working relationships with employees, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and other participants in the civil justice process.
• Skill in effective communication, both verbal and written.
• Skill in interacting with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of principles of legal writing, citations, grammar, syntax, etc.

Physical Demands:

Must be able to lift/carry up to 10 pounds.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Juris Doctorate (JD) degree required; and at (1) one year experience in the practice of law in the areas of civil, corporate, real estate transactional, and/or Public Housing Authority law. Experience obtained during law school in a clinical legal program will be considered

Must be licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas to practice law in the State of Texas, remain active with all annual license requirements, and maintain a clear criminal record.

Deadline to Apply: Open Until Filled

Explanation of Hiring Process

Thank you for your interest in job opportunities with the Dallas Housing Authority.  All applications for open posted positions must be submitted via on-line at www.dhantx.com.  No on-line applications will be accepted after the noted closing date on the announcement. We encourage you to visit our website often to view and apply for vacant positions with the agency.

DHA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and all employees and applicants are treated equally without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.