What are the responsibilities and job description for the ATTORNEY ADVISOR position at DC Department of Human Resources?
Job Summary
This position is located in the Department of Housing and Community Development, (DHCD), Office of the General Counsel (OGC). OGC provides comprehensive legal services on a wide range of affordable housing development, finance and compliance issues for the programs administered by DHCD. These program areas include the Housing Production Trust Fund, the Housing Preservation Fund, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program (DHCD is the District’s tax credit allocating agency), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development housing and economic development assistance programs, Inclusionary Zoning, Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, District Opportunity to Purchase Act, rent control, homebuyer assistance, condominium structural warranty claims and loan portfolio and asset management.
The incumbent is responsible for representing DHCD in affordable housing finance transactions and property acquisitions and dispositions. The incumbent advises the agency on legal issues pertaining to affordable housing policies, programs and initiatives. The incumbent reviews and drafts an array of legal documents for the affordable housing and community development programs DHCD administers. In addition, the incumbent also makes determinations on applications for nonprofit affordable housing developer tax abatement, drafts legislation and rulemakings.
Major Duties And Responsibilities
Serves as a senior attorney handling the complex and difficult matters; reviews various legal documents and relevant case laws to determine whether execution or non-execution of proposed actions is in the best interest of the District of Columbia government; provides statement of reasons and draft language necessary to obviate objections. Examines and analyses proposed orders, legislation and other legal documents from various sources for legal sufficiency, both as to the form and substance of rulemaking decisions; performs the aforementioned research and provides oral or written opinions resulting from such analysis. Reviews records of hearings, including briefs filed, exceptions taken, rulings made, tentative decisions, as well as reports of findings of fact and conclusions of law; analyzes same and provides recommendations to supervisor as appropriate. Prepares memoranda on legal questions and proposals and drafts tentative documents of final decisions for consideration by concerned administrative agencies; consults frequently with officials of various administrative agencies providing advice as to the extent of their legal duties and power.
Confers with and incorporates concerns of District Government officials, members of administrative bodies, and officials outside the District Government regarding all actions taken during reviews, as well as the conclusions from proceedings on other matters handled. Attends and participates in hearings before committees of the Council of the District of Columbia and the Congress pertaining to proposed laws and/or legislation which may affect existing laws related to the functions of OGC. Assists other components of DHCD in court litigation resulting from matters handled by OGC. Performs all functions related to case and calendar management; preparation of case transfer or close-out reports; case file entry updating; documentation of action taken; timely review of legal proceedings; and other administrative functions associated with conclusion of assigned matters; compiles monthly statistical and status reports of assigned matters. Keeps abreast of judicial, agency, and other changes in laws and regulations related to the functions of OGC and recommends appropriate course of action to supervisor, as deemed necessary; provides technical guidance and assistance to junior attorneys of OGC in areas of special expertise.
Advises and represents the DHCD lender in affordable housing finance transactions; negotiates and drafts legally sufficient loan and other transactional documents; represents DHCD’s interests in meetings with developers and other project financing partners; provides guidance to legal support staff on project closing due diligence requirements; manages project finance closings. Advises and represents DHCD in acquisitions and dispositions of real property for development as affordable housing; advises portfolio asset management division on loan portfolio and project compliance matters; drafts and conducts legal review of a wide range of documents; advises client on legal issues affecting agency programs and policy; drafts new or amended legislation and regulations; reviews and makes determinations on applications for nonprofit affordable housing developer tax abatement.
Qualifications And Education
Must possess a LLB or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) at the time of appointment. Applicants must have at least three (3) years of post J.D. professional legal experience.
Applicants with at least five (5) years full-time legal experience, advising and representing lenders, developers or investors in complex affordable housing finance or commercial real estate finance transactions are preferred. Specialized experience representing clients in affordable housing finance deals that included LIHTC as a project source is Preferred.
Preferred applicants should have specialized experience negotiating and drafting real estate finance documents, affordability covenants, purchase and sale agreements, loan modifications and intercreditor and subordination agreements. Experience negotiating and drafting ground leases is preferred. Applicants with an in-depth knowledge of tools used to create affordable housing, to include, affordability covenants, LIHTC, ground leasing, tax abatements and housing vouchers preferred. Applicants must be skilled in interpreting and applying legal principles and must exercise sound judgment in providing advice.
Licenses and Certification
Must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service position shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her employment in the Legal Service. If eligible for waiver, the incumbent must submit an application for admission to the District of Columbia Bar prior to commencing employment.
Work Environment/Conditions
Work is performed in an office environment.
Other Significant Facts
Applicants must submit a legal writing sample in order to be considered for this position.
Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM (Subject to change)
Pay Plan, Series, Grade: LA-0905-14
Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is in a collective bargaining unit.
Position Designation: This position has been deemed Security Sensitive under the guidelines of the DC Personnel Manual. Incumbents of this position are subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.
This position is located in the Department of Housing and Community Development, (DHCD), Office of the General Counsel (OGC). OGC provides comprehensive legal services on a wide range of affordable housing development, finance and compliance issues for the programs administered by DHCD. These program areas include the Housing Production Trust Fund, the Housing Preservation Fund, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program (DHCD is the District’s tax credit allocating agency), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development housing and economic development assistance programs, Inclusionary Zoning, Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, District Opportunity to Purchase Act, rent control, homebuyer assistance, condominium structural warranty claims and loan portfolio and asset management.
The incumbent is responsible for representing DHCD in affordable housing finance transactions and property acquisitions and dispositions. The incumbent advises the agency on legal issues pertaining to affordable housing policies, programs and initiatives. The incumbent reviews and drafts an array of legal documents for the affordable housing and community development programs DHCD administers. In addition, the incumbent also makes determinations on applications for nonprofit affordable housing developer tax abatement, drafts legislation and rulemakings.
Major Duties And Responsibilities
Serves as a senior attorney handling the complex and difficult matters; reviews various legal documents and relevant case laws to determine whether execution or non-execution of proposed actions is in the best interest of the District of Columbia government; provides statement of reasons and draft language necessary to obviate objections. Examines and analyses proposed orders, legislation and other legal documents from various sources for legal sufficiency, both as to the form and substance of rulemaking decisions; performs the aforementioned research and provides oral or written opinions resulting from such analysis. Reviews records of hearings, including briefs filed, exceptions taken, rulings made, tentative decisions, as well as reports of findings of fact and conclusions of law; analyzes same and provides recommendations to supervisor as appropriate. Prepares memoranda on legal questions and proposals and drafts tentative documents of final decisions for consideration by concerned administrative agencies; consults frequently with officials of various administrative agencies providing advice as to the extent of their legal duties and power.
Confers with and incorporates concerns of District Government officials, members of administrative bodies, and officials outside the District Government regarding all actions taken during reviews, as well as the conclusions from proceedings on other matters handled. Attends and participates in hearings before committees of the Council of the District of Columbia and the Congress pertaining to proposed laws and/or legislation which may affect existing laws related to the functions of OGC. Assists other components of DHCD in court litigation resulting from matters handled by OGC. Performs all functions related to case and calendar management; preparation of case transfer or close-out reports; case file entry updating; documentation of action taken; timely review of legal proceedings; and other administrative functions associated with conclusion of assigned matters; compiles monthly statistical and status reports of assigned matters. Keeps abreast of judicial, agency, and other changes in laws and regulations related to the functions of OGC and recommends appropriate course of action to supervisor, as deemed necessary; provides technical guidance and assistance to junior attorneys of OGC in areas of special expertise.
Advises and represents the DHCD lender in affordable housing finance transactions; negotiates and drafts legally sufficient loan and other transactional documents; represents DHCD’s interests in meetings with developers and other project financing partners; provides guidance to legal support staff on project closing due diligence requirements; manages project finance closings. Advises and represents DHCD in acquisitions and dispositions of real property for development as affordable housing; advises portfolio asset management division on loan portfolio and project compliance matters; drafts and conducts legal review of a wide range of documents; advises client on legal issues affecting agency programs and policy; drafts new or amended legislation and regulations; reviews and makes determinations on applications for nonprofit affordable housing developer tax abatement.
Qualifications And Education
Must possess a LLB or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) at the time of appointment. Applicants must have at least three (3) years of post J.D. professional legal experience.
Applicants with at least five (5) years full-time legal experience, advising and representing lenders, developers or investors in complex affordable housing finance or commercial real estate finance transactions are preferred. Specialized experience representing clients in affordable housing finance deals that included LIHTC as a project source is Preferred.
Preferred applicants should have specialized experience negotiating and drafting real estate finance documents, affordability covenants, purchase and sale agreements, loan modifications and intercreditor and subordination agreements. Experience negotiating and drafting ground leases is preferred. Applicants with an in-depth knowledge of tools used to create affordable housing, to include, affordability covenants, LIHTC, ground leasing, tax abatements and housing vouchers preferred. Applicants must be skilled in interpreting and applying legal principles and must exercise sound judgment in providing advice.
Licenses and Certification
Must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service position shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her employment in the Legal Service. If eligible for waiver, the incumbent must submit an application for admission to the District of Columbia Bar prior to commencing employment.
Work Environment/Conditions
Work is performed in an office environment.
Other Significant Facts
Applicants must submit a legal writing sample in order to be considered for this position.
Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM (Subject to change)
Pay Plan, Series, Grade: LA-0905-14
Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is in a collective bargaining unit.
Position Designation: This position has been deemed Security Sensitive under the guidelines of the DC Personnel Manual. Incumbents of this position are subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.