General Counsel

Company: Detroit Housing Commission

Location: Detroit

Closing Date: 30/10/2024

Salary: £150 - £200 Per Annum

Hours: Full Time

Type: Permanent

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Job Requirements / Description

Chief General Counsel

SUMMARY

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's 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 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.
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 HUD programs, requirements, and policies/procedures. Knowledge of DHC and departmental policies, procedures, and goals. Knowledge of organization’s structure, policies and procedures. Knowledge of standard office procedures, filing, and standard office equipment, including computer, fax, copier, telephone system. Knowledge of the principles and practices of automated information systems, and data processing. Knowledge of traditional and electronic legal research methods. Knowledge of law office procedures and managing the workflow of a law office. Knowledge and understanding of file, record and matter management systems. Knowledge of privacy and Freedom of Information laws; parliamentary procedure.

REQUIRED ABILITIES

Act independently
Analyze situations
Attend to details
Communicate verbally
Communicate in writing
Concentrate
Empathize
Identify problems
Initiate
Manage under pressure
Motivate
Multi-task
Organize
Problem solve
Think creatively
Desire to serve internal and client’s customers

REQUIRED SKILLS

Allocate relevant resources, build consensus, and bridge differences to accomplish organizational goals
Analyze and interpret data and reports, and formulate recommendations and make effective decisions
Anticipate potential issues to develop preventative actions
Communicate effectively orally or in writing with relevant stakeholders, internal and external, from a variety of backgrounds
Delegate duties and assignments to achieve objectives
Provide oversight and direction to outside legal counsel; serve as relationship manager
Demonstrate leadership skills, guiding and motivating employees to accomplish organizational goals
Demonstrate writing, research and marketing skills exhibiting fluency of ideas and originality
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders to accomplish organizational goals
Develop policies and procedures congruent with organizations needs
Establish priorities and deadlines to assure efficiency
Exercise sound judgment in analyzing situations and identifying potential problems within scope of responsibility
Prepare and present ideas and information in formal and informal settings
Present ideas and information in a clear and concise manner
Promote intra-departmental and inter-departmental cooperation
Provide high level, quality customer service both internally and externally
Provide ongoing performance feedback to direct reports
Understand and apply HUD organizational rules, instructions, policies and procedures appropriately
Use sound judgment when implementing decisions
Work under pressure of deadlines
Exercise tact, discretion and diplomacy
Implement decisions in accordance with established requirements
Lead with vision and expertise
Manage multiple priorities and demands within established requirements
Maintain confidentiality
Organize work to maximize productivity
Plan, organize, complete, or assign work and special projects in order to meet organizational goals
Plan, organize, coordinate, and follow through on work projects to ensure efficiency
Compile data and prepare reports
Develop and use evaluation systems, and work simplification and process modeling tools
Establish evaluation standards and evaluate performance
Input, retrieve, download, merge, output and maintain information from software programs and systems
Interact with public and private agencies and residents to accomplish organizational goals
Master position-specific software
Operate a computer to perform various work-related tasks
Operate standard office equipment
Plan, organize, implement, evaluate, and modify systems or processes
Read and understand department specific documentation, and policies and procedures

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 with 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.
Maintain a strong, ongoing relationship with the Board of Commissioners, executives, and senior staff.
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.
Review and interpret federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and court and/or administrative decisions.
Anticipate and identify legal issues and counsel Commission officers and upper management in order 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.
Manage or coordinate work of outside counsel. Liaison with the HUD local counsel, as appropriate.
Develop and conduct or arrange/facilitate training for clients, as appropriate, on legal requirements.
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.
Manage or coordinate all aspects of the department’s work, including project legal work and supervision of legal support staff and outside counsel.
Ensure representation of DHC in all legal transactions and settings is timely, responsive, professional and of high quality.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS

(These are job duties the individual must be able to perform, with or without accommodation; removal of these functions would NOT fundamentally change the job)

Collect damages and debts due the Commission.
All other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND DEMANDS

Sitting
Visual acuity
Discerning colors
Walking
Lifting
Grasping/finger manipulation
Carrying
Pushing
Pulling
Standing
Ascending/descending stairs
Reaching
Bending
Kneeling
Crouching
Traversing rough or uneven terrain

EQUIPMENT

Phones
Communication systems
Copiers/printers
Monitors
Scanners
Computer/laptop
Projectors

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Indoor environments. Work in hot, cold, wet surroundings. Exposed to continual, multiple distractions.

SOFTWARE

Internet software
Word processing software
Customer relationship management software
Database software
Payroll/human resources
Purchasing systems
Spreadsheet software

Disclaimer

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities performed by persons assigned to this classification. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor or manager to assign, direct and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. All principal duties and responsibilities of this position are essential functions of the position. Job descriptions are reviewed on a regular basis and may be revised at any time. Revisions will be communicated to employees within the classification. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment; therefore, the company may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

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Job Type: Full-time

Benefits: