Real Estate Attorney/Senior Assistant City Soli...

Closing Date: 23rd April, 2024

Description:

General Statement of Duties:
This position reports, in person, to the Law Department in the Real Estate Division.

The City of Cincinnati Solicitor's Office (Law Department) is seeking an attorney to serve in the Real Estate Division as a Real Estate Attorney/Senior Assistant City Solicitor.

The Real Estate Division of the Law Department oversees the acquisition, disposition, leasing, and management of City-owned real property and real property interests. The division works on both public and private projects that involve City-owned property and real property interests.

The Real Estate Attorney/Senior Assistant City Solicitor serves as the primary attorney for evaluating and implementing real property transactions for the City, including purchases, sales, leases, easements, licenses, dedications, and vacations. The successful candidate will be able to effectively interpret laws, rules, and regulations governing real estate transactions; possess substantial experience in diligencing, structuring, documenting, and implementing real estate transactions, including possessing an understanding of local acquisition, disposition, recording, and entitlement processes; have strong organizational, communication, and project-management skills; and be able to monitor legal risk and advise City internal clients appropriately, while ensuring that appropriate approvals are in place prior to execution of real estate transactions.

Common tasks the Real Estate Attorney is expected to accomplish include researching and reviewing title matters and existing real-estate documents to advise clients on compliance and risk; draft and edit all manner of real estate documents, including purchase contracts, leases, easements, and licenses, and prepare and prepare related legislation; and review and comment on plats, including dedication and vacation plats.

In addition to a demonstrated proficiency in real estate transactions, the ideal candidate will have substantial experience in managing real estate transactions for a government or large organization; understand real property valuation and have experience litigating real property tax appeals; have a working knowledge of DOT rules and procedures governing acquisitions for transportation projects; have a working knowledge of corporate structures, particularly LLCs and corporations; have an understanding of planning, permitting, entitlement, and incentive processes, including subdivision and right-of-way dedication/vacation processes.

Candidates must possess excellent oral and written communication skills; creative-yet-practical legal thinking; demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, adaptability, and self-awareness; and be able to work independently and efficiently in prioritizing and performing assigned responsibilities. Excellent drafting, research, communication, project management, and interpersonal skills are required. Successful candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to public service and understanding of government operations.

Candidates should possess a minimum of five years relevant legal experience and must be licensed in Ohio. The City of Cincinnati is an equal opportunity employer. The salary for the position will be competitive commensurate with experience and skill set.

Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)
Knowledge of:

• Modern and complex principles and practices of real estate, municipal law, and contracts.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations and their past applications.
• Organization, duties, powers, limitations, and authority of local governments, including methods of public administration.
• Awareness of the organization, duties, powers, authority, policies, and procedures of both the Law Department in general and the Real Estate Division.
• Methods and techniques of legal research.
• Ethical standards as applied to the City Solicitor's Office and public employees in Ohio.

Ability to:

• Work independently on complex projects, while asking appropriate questions and proactively anticipating client needs.
• Work collaboratively and congenially in a team and develop strong working relationships within the office and the broader municipal corporation.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with non-lawyers, and distill substantive legal issues for non-lawyers in a concise and effective manner.
• Organize, interpret, and apply legal principles and knowledge to complex legal problems.
• Prepare clear, concise, and effective legal position papers, opinions, legislation, contracts, and pleadings.
• Anticipate, avoid, and resolve potential or pending legal issues in litigation or municipal real estate transactions.
• Represent the Law Department in City Council meetings, City boards, community meetings, administrative hearings, and in court.
• Oversee outside counsel on real estate matters.
• Practice effective time management and resource prioritization in order to meet deadlines and provide excellent customer service.
• Research legal issues through LexisNexis and other available applications.
• Interact with elected officials, City administration, community stakeholders, and the general public.

Required Education and Experience:
Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited academic institution.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio.

Specific:

• Review and draft municipal ordinances amending zoning codes and zoning maps.
• Defend the City's interests in state and federal litigation related to land development.
• Review and draft agreements, contracts, memoranda, rules and regulations, and other documentation related to the development, use, and management of public buildings and spaces.
• Interact regularly with City decision makers, elected officials, and community stakeholders in connection with permitting, planning, and infrastructure matters.
• Draft complex legal opinions and provide timely guidance to City clients concerning land use, contract, real estate, and infrastructure matters.
• Effectively prioritize the use of division resources in providing the above-described legal services for the City.

General:

• Collaborate and support Law Department leadership, colleagues, and administrative staff within the division.
• Research legal questions and evaluate the impact on City policies and procedures.
• Provide legal guidance and written legal opinions to City departments and other City clients.
• Appear in court and administrative proceedings to represent the City's interests as required.
• Coordinate office activities with those of other City departments, outside agencies, and organizations; provide necessary assistance to the City Solicitor; prepare and present reports and other office correspondence.
• Review legal publications to keep abreast of current legal issues and cases; attend seminars to keep abreast of new laws.
• Prepare various legal memoranda and correspondence.
• Respond to citizen complaints as assigned.
• Represent the City Solicitor's Office at a variety of City boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional groups and committees.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

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