General Counsel

Description:

Job Summary:
We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled General Counsel to oversee our agencies' legal affairs. Under direction from the Deputy Executive Director of Operations, the ideal candidate will perform legal and managerial work of exceptional difficulty.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for ensuring LMHA housing programs remain compliant with federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and guidance documents, in a manner that supports the effective and efficient administration of these programs.
• Responsible for reviewing documents and communications to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Responsible for overseeing procurement and contracting in a manner that is compliant with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
• Responsible for screening legal issues and engaging the appropriate contracted outside counsel.
• Perform other duties as required.

Examples of the Work

• Monitor the Federal Register, HUD Exchange, and other appropriate sources for the issuance of new federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and guidance documents. Provides detailed interpretation and education of these documents to appropriate staff.
• Occasionally provide and/or facilitate staff training related to housing program policies, especially as these policies are revised.
• Research and summarize a variety of legal issues.
• Lead LMHA decision-making as it relates to the Fair Housing Act, The Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Violence Against Women Act.
• Screen legal issues and lawsuits and, when appropriate, engage outside contracted legal counsel.
• Oversee procurement of goods and services.
• Write and edit contracts of a variety of types.
• Oversee response to LMHA's Kentucky Open Records Act inquiries.
• Supervise LMHA's internal Compliance Team.
• Assist Human Resources in hiring, firing, and discipline decisions, when appropriate.
• Works with contracted outside legal counsel to ensure effective representation and litigation.
• Oversee reconciliation of outside legal billing.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills Necessary to the Work

• Existing extensive knowledge of or a demonstrated ability to thoroughly learn the rules and regulations associated with federal affordable housing programs, including Public Housing; Housing Choice Voucher and other Section 8 programs; and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.
• Ability to supervise subordinates.
• Ability to write and review contracts in a manner favorable to LMHA.
• Ability to be detail-oriented.
• Ability to be self-motivated, self-directed, and flexible.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in position.
• Ability to plan and organize.
• Ability to exercise good judgment.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationship with internal staff, as well as 3rd-party management agents, residents, external agencies, vendors, stakeholders, and the general public.
• Ability to represent LMHA at meetings, including occasionally on evenings and weekends.
• Keen research skills, including the ability to identify and analyze relevant federal housing policies; explain them to staff in a clear and concise manner; and apply them to LMHA housing programs and strategic initiatives.
• Strong computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office programs, Adobe Acrobat, and Yardi, and the ability to learn other computer programs as required.
• Excellent writing skills.

Minimum Requirements:

• Juris Doctor degree.
• Active Membership in the Kentucky Bar.
• Three (3) years' experience in the practice of law.
• At least one (1) year of experience in a supervisory capacity desired.

An equivalent combination of training and experience may be substituted.

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