This is a senior-level position and is a member of the C-Suite/Executive Leadership Team to serve as a trusted confidante, legal advisor, and provide representation to the Executive Director, Deputy Director, the Board of Commissioners, and DHC employees, as appropriate. The Chief General Counsel purpose is to provide a wide range of legal services to include but not limited to:
Employment Law Advice & Counsel: Provide general legal services and advice pertaining to employment issues and personnel policies at DHC.
Corporate Transaction/Corporate Structure: Draft and/or review organizational documents as required for the reorganization and/or formation of any DHC subsidiary or affiliated entity formed to act as an ownership, development, or lending entity, relative to development projects and DHC self-development.
Real Estate Development Transactions/Contract Review: Provide legal services and advice involving the negotiation, preparation and review of all contracts, agreements, evidentiary findings, opinions, documents and other writings necessary to implement or assist in the implementation of all phases of any mixed-finance projects, and other development-related work. Examples of such materials include documents such as ground leases, regulatory and operating agreements, declarations of restrictive covenants, management agreements, development agreements, loan documents, and equity documents.
Real Estate Acquisition: Assist with real property acquisition and real property demolition and disposition matters involving public and private real estate opportunities and other property-related issues.
Maintain communications and participate in meetings and conference calls with the DHC Board and staff, as necessary.
This role will supervise the work of all other attorneys and support staff; maintain liaison with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) local counsel Imperative to the continuous growth of the Organization, this role also involves the development of legal procedures, contracts, guidelines, and policies.? Reviews all documents that create a contractual arrangement with outside entities prior to DHC execution.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Law degree from an accredited law school and admission or eligibility for admission to the Bar of the State of Michigan, the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Seven to ten years' experience in the practice of law with preferred experience in the areas of public administration, landlord tenant law, housing, real estate, affordable housing finance, bond financing, administrative law, tax credits, or general commercial transactions, of which five (5) years shall have been in a position of management or supervision. Public sector experience preferred
- 7 years of experience in employment and/or labor law
- 5 years of Litigation experience
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Must have or be able to acquire a valid state driver's license
- Must pass federal, state, and local criminal investigation clearances, and pass a drug screening test administered by the Commission or its designated provider
- Must be insurable under the agency's insurance policy
- License to practice law by the State Bar of Michigan
KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of common law, city, state and federal laws, rules of evidence and judicial procedures
- Knowledge of the range of laws and regulations which impact on all facets of Commission legal and policy issues
- Knowledge of legal terminology, the formats of a variety of legal documents, legal processes and procedures, and court/hearing rules, records, procedures and protocol
- Knowledge of Housing & Urban Development Public Housing regulations and policies pertinent to the department
- Knowledge pertaining to municipal, state, and federal housing acts/laws
- Knowledge of contract law
- Knowledge of labor and employment law
- Knowledge of human resources concepts, practices, policies, and procedures
- Knowledge of ADA, FLSA, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, TITLE VII, EEO, Workers' Compensation, FCRA
- Knowledge of common law, city, state and federal laws, rules of evidence and judicial procedures
- Knowledge of HUD programs, requirements, and policies/procedures
- Knowledge of DHC and departmental policies, procedures, and goals
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct employee supervisory responsibilities of 1-5 employees
REPORTS TO
Executive Director and the Deputy Director
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
[The fundamental job duties the individual must be able to perform, with or without accommodation; removal of these functions would fundamentally change the job]
- Maintain client?confidences; serves as trusted confidante and legal advisor to the Chief Executive
- Supervise all activities of the Office of General Counsel (OGC), including transactional work on real estate acquisition, redevelopment, real estate finance,?tax and bond matters, as well as administrative, regulatory, labor, employment, and civil rights matters. Supervise legal work of all Commission attorneys and consult on difficult or sensitive?issues
- Oversee the Office of Human Resources
- Monitor Human Resources issues that impact the work environment, salary and benefits and performance evaluation processes.
- Manage the Labor-Management negotiating processes, including building consensus around collective bargaining strategies and offers at the table.
- Design, establish, and maintain an organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the OGC's goals and objectives; recruit, employ, train, supervise and evaluate Department?staff
- Develop and manage annual budgets for the Office of General Counsel and perform periodic cost and productivity?analyses
- Enhance professional growth and development through participation in seminars and workshops; maintain professional affiliations to keep abreast of developments and trends in relevant areas of?law
- Draft, review and approve policies and procedures, regulations, bylaws and other legal documents. Prepare and/or review opinions and/or memoranda of?law.?
- Advise the Board of Commissioners, the Executive Director and the Deputy Director, Department Heads, and staff on legal?matters
- Anticipate and identify legal issues?and counsel Commission officers and upper management to develop legal strategies and solutions, often in situations of great political, public relations, or financial risk or significance, and with limited time for assessing?alternatives
- Represent and/or oversee the representation of the Commission and its officers and employees in litigation before all federal and state courts and/or administrative agencies including preparing pleadings, briefs, motions, and other documents.?
- Recommend appeal and/or settlement of litigation and/or claims to the Executive Director and the Deputy Director and/or Board of?Commissioners
- At?the request of the Executive Director and the Deputy Director, represent the Commission to the public and press about legal matters affecting the?Commission.
