In-House Counsel

Title: In-House Counsel
Reports To: Executive Director
Direct Reports: Paralegal

Summary of Responsiblities
The In-House Counsel Serves as Nora's Primary Legal Advisor for Contracts, Property and Land Matters, Guiding Acquisitions, Dispositions, Reversions, Leasing and Title Issues. This Role Serves as Nora's Representative on All Legal Matters, Including Drafting, Reviewing and Negotiating Legal Agreements and Procuring and Overseeing Outside Legal Counsel. This Role Also Supports General Agency Operations, Compliance (open Meetings, Public Records, Ethics) and Risk Management.

The Ideal Candidate Is Comfortable Operating Independently in The Legal Function Role and Working Cohesively and Collaboratively with Executive Leadership. Provide Accurate, Relevant and Timely Legal Advice to The Organization. Conduct Legal Research and Stay Updated on Relevant Laws and Regulations. Draft, Review and Negotiate Contracts and Agreements. This Role Is Crucial for Ensuring that The Organization Operates Within the Legal Framework and Mitigates Potential Legal Risks.

Essential Duties:

• Land, Real Estate and Infrastructure
• Lead and Negotiate Property Acquisitions, Dispositions and Reversions, Including Appraisal Coordination, Title Review/curative Actions, Closing Checklists, and Post-Closing Compliance.
• Draft, Review, and Negotiate Purchase Agreements, Licenses, Access Agreements, Restrictive Covenants, Deeds, and Development Agreements.
• Oversee Title and Survey Matters, Cure Defects, and Coordinate with Title Companies Under Louisiana Civil Law.
• Advise on Land Use, Zoning, Permitting, Plat/dedication, Subdivision Approvals, Conditional Use, and Variances; Liaise with Local Jurisdictions and Regulatory Bodies.
• Develop Templates, Checklists, and Standard Forms for Recurring Property Transactions.

Contracting, Compliance and Governance

• Advise on Louisiana Open Meetings Law, Public Records Act, and Code of Governmental Ethics; Draft Agendas, Resolutions, and Board Materials; Support Board/commission Governance.
• Ensure Compliance with Public Bid Law, Procurement, and Contracting Requirements; Review Solicitations, Rf Ps, and Award Documentation; Advise on Protest and Debarment Issues.
• Draft/negotiate Cooperative Endeavor Agreements, Agency Contracts, Intergovernmental Agreements (ig As), and Mo Us; and Ensure Alignment with Organizational Goals, Funding Requirements and Constitutional and Statutory Requirements as Applicable.
• Provide Legal Review of Grant Agreements (state/federal), Funding Terms, and Compliance Obligations; Support Audit Readiness.
• Manage and Supervise Internal Paralegal Support Staff and Outside Counsel as Needed; Triage Litigation and Administrative Hearings; Recommend Dispute Resolution Strategies (mediation/arbitration/settlements).

Risk Management and Advisory

• Identify Legal Risks in Projects; Propose Risk Mitigation Strategies and Practical Solutions Balancing Agency Goals, Requirements, Schedule Cost, and Compliance.
• Responsible for Agency Records Retention, Coordinate and Train Staff on The Best Legal Practices and State Requirements Regarding (records Retention, Conflicts, Ethics, Contracting).
• Maintain Legal Knowledge Base and Policy Updates; Monitor Relevant Legislation and Regulatory Changes Affecting Land/real Estate and Public Agencies.

Qualifications:
To Perform This Job Successfully, Candidate Must Be Able to Perform Each Essential Duty Satisfactorily. the Requirements Listed Below Are Representative of The Knowledge, Skills, And/or Abilities Required.

Education and Experience:
Required:

• Juris Doctorate from An Accredited Law School.
• License to Practice Law in The State of Louisiana
• Active Membership in The Louisiana Bar
• 7-8+ Years of Experience in Real Estate/land Use Law, with Significant Transactional Drafting and Negotiation.
• Prior Expertise Advising Governmental or Public Entities, and Senior and Executive Leadership
• Demonstrated Expertise in Drafting and Amending Contracts, Title/survey Review, Leasing, and Property Acquisitions/dispositions.
• Familiarity with Louisiana Civil Law Property Concepts (servitudes, Usufruct, Predial Servitudes), Expropriation, and Public Agency Processes.

Preferred:

• Specific Experience with Public Sector Clients or Small Agencies/utilities/special Districts.
• Knowledge of Public Procurement, Public Records/open Meetings, Ethics Compliance, and Grant/funding Terms.
• Exposure to Federal Funding Programs Such as Community Development Block Grant Funding, Environmental Due Diligence, Coastal/wetlands, Floodplain Management, Fema/usace Coordination.

Skills and Competencies:
The Successful Candidate Will Have Demonstrated Success in And/or Possess the Following Skills:

• Excellent Verbal and Written Communication, Particularly in Drafting Agreements
• Excellent Problem Solving and Negotiating Skills, Anticipating Potential Issues and Driving Deals to Timely Closure and Resolution
• Strong Interpersonal Skills with Proven Ability to Foster and Maintain Relationships with Partners, Executive Staff, Elected Leadership, Citizens and Professional Service Providers Alike
• Ability to Exercise Sound Judgment, Working Independently with Minimal Direction and Supervision and Escalating Issues as Necessary
• Concurrent Management of Multiple Scopes of Work
• Demonstrated Ability to Collaborate and Work as A Member of A Highly Motivated and Professional Team.
• Detail-Oriented and Well-Organized
• Fluent in All Components of Microsoft Office
• Demonstrated Ability to Respect and Maintain Confidentiality Whether Written or Verbal

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary: Commensurate with Experience
• Insurance: Generous Employer-Sponsored Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Other Supplemental Coverages Available.
• Retirement: 457(b) Plan with Up to 5% Employer-Matched Contributions
• Paid Leave: 10 Paid Holidays Each Year, 12 Annual Leave Days Accrued in First Year, 12 Sick Days Accrued in First Year.

Applications Must Be Submitted Through Nora's Job Application Portal (https://jobs.Appone.Com/new Orleans Redevelopment Authority).