Description:

A Government Entity is a political subdivision established by Chapter 1230 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly. VPRA is responsible for promoting, sustaining, and expanding the availability of passenger and commuter rail services in the Commonwealth, including all administrative and fiduciary responsibilities for Virginia's state-supported passenger rail services. The VPRA also funds Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and administers all capital expansion projects, infrastructure, and land acquisitions related to the $3.7 billion Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, which will double Amtrak and VRE service in Virginia over the next decade. The VPRA acts as a "responsible public entity" for the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation of a "qualifying transportation facility" under the Public Private Partnership Act of 1995.

VPRA's Legal team is seeking an Associate General Counsel - Real Estate & Land Use. Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Associate General Counsel will provide legal advice and representation to VPRA regarding VPRA real property transactions, right-of-way acquisitions for VPRA capital projects, and a wide range of land use issues. The Associate General Counsel may also provide legal advice and representation to VPRA decision-makers on discrete legal matters unrelated to real property as needed. This position will be based in Richmond or Alexandria, Virginia.

The Associate General Counsel - Real Estate & Land Use will:

Support VPRA's team throughout commercial negotiations relating to real property transactions.
Draft, edit, and negotiate real property instruments such as purchase and sale agreements, leases, deeds, easements, and similar agreements.
Lead or support transactional work streams such as overseeing and reviewing title examinations and plats, obtaining title insurance, managing settlement and recordation of real property instruments, and similar efforts.
Manage the acquisition process for parcels acquired in support of project development, both from private entities (subject to the federal Uniform Relocation Act (URA)) and public entities (not subject to the URA).
Provide essential real-property-related advice to support VPRA's over $3 billion capital project program, including obtaining land use permits and eminent domain proceedings.
Advise concerning pre-acquisition environmental due diligence efforts.
Advise the client team on risks associated with real property transactions and establish and maintain relationships with outside counsel to support VPRA's real property legal needs.
Maintain and update VPRA's right-of-way acquisition management plan (RAMP).
Support creating and maintaining VPRA's real property document control system.
Interact with state and federal agencies during the right-of-way acquisition process, including the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Federal Railroad Administration.
Support grant funding and project permitting by assuring compliance with the law.

Education and Experience:
Required Education:

Graduation from an accredited law school
Admission to the Virginia bar is required

Required Experience:

At least three (3) years of practicing law in support of real property transactions is required.
Strong business acumen and keen written, technical, negotiation, and advisory skills.
Ability to build solid and effective working relationships within VPRA and with outside counsel and other stakeholders.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to establish credibility and rapport with various constituencies.
Ability to conduct complex legal research and analyze existing laws and regulations.
Ability to create, compose, and edit legal opinions, contracts, and other legal written materials.
Ability to represent VPRA before courts or other legal matters.
Ability to liaise with outside legal counsel on complex legal issues or large projects.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
Flexibility and ability to cope with a changing environment.
Enthusiasm - the ability to be energetic, creative, and proactive.
Ability to function autonomously and as a contributing team member.
Willingness to enhance/develop relevant skills.

Preferred Experience: