Legal Counsel

Director of Legal Affairs and Risk Management (Legal Counsel)

Reports directly to: Chief Executive Officer

NOTE:  This job description does not constitute an employment agreement or contract in whole or in part and the association reserves the right to add, amend or delete any responsibility or relationship started herein at any time.

JOB DESCRIPTION:      

The Director of Legal Affairs and Risk Management manages the Legal Affairs Program and provides legal guidance, briefings and updates on legal issues affecting the Association, its membership and real estate industry. The Director of Legal Affairs and Risk Management is involved in implementing legal and regulatory affairs strategies in furtherance of the REALTORS® mission statement, code of ethics, and strategic partnerships.

RESPONSIBILITIES:         

· Manage, research, and maintain the legal hotline to offer legal guidance to real estate brokers. 

· Manage, research, and develop legal updates, bulletins, and broker briefings for publishing to membership in collaboration with the Communications Department. 

· Manage, research, and develop a legal library of advisory opinions and guidance on important issues affecting the membership and real estate industry.  

· Monitor legal decisions and court rulings and draft summaries and advisory opinions of how these decisions affect the industry and membership.

· Work with staff in developing the Legal Affairs Program and implementing legal and regulatory affairs strategies.  

· Work with the Government Affairs staff to develop and research public policy positions on issues and initiatives that affect membership, the real estate industry and/or current or prospective property owners in Iowa.

· Work with the Government Affairs staff in drafting legislation, monitoring and evaluating proposals, regulations and administrative decisions from agencies affecting real estate.

· Support the Professional Standards Administrator in the processing and administration of ethics complaints and arbitration and mediation requests (including public inquiries), hearings, appeals and procedural reviews in accordance with the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

· Develop information for members on important professional standards training for Professional Standards Committee members based on feedback and trends observed in professional standards cases.

· Revise and draft new standard forms, as approved by appropriate Forms Committee and Risk Management Committee, to ensure compliance with current laws and regulations.

· Oversee contractual agreements with and operations of standard forms vendors.

· Maintain up-to-date forms index, forms instruction and office policy manuals.

· Work with Professional Development Director in the creation of professional development or risk mitigation curriculum and teach on behalf of the IAR Education Department when called upon.

· Grow Legal Affairs Program to locate opportunities for Association to file friend of the court briefs in state circuit and appellate courts on important issues affecting the membership, Association and real estate industry.  

· Perform other duties as may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following professional qualifications:

• Law degree and admitted to practice in Iowa required.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in real estate, policy, appellate, regulatory and/or administrative law.
• Strong written and oral communications skills.
• A visible track record of project management skills.
• Real estate background preferred.

BENEFITS:

Iowa REALTORS® offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a generous paid time off policy, Association paid health, dental, and vision insurance, 401K match, and more. 

DISCLAIMER:
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Iowa REALTORS® is an equal opportunity employer.

ABOUT IOWA REALTORS®

Iowa REALTORS® is the voice for more than 8,000 REALTORS® across the state of Iowa. Representing all facets of the industry, the IAR is proud to serve as a resource of services and opportunities for its members. IAR champions and advocates for housing-related issues, including fair housing, housing affordability, housing accessibility and more. We believe that the dream of homeownership should be obtainable by all Iowans. REALTORS® provide their communities with support, resources and guidance on all aspects of housing.