General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer

To serve as the chief legal officer for the Chicago Housing Authority (“CHA”), with primary responsibility for (i) the overall legal and risk strategy of the organization, (ii) legal and strategic counseling on all real estate transactions, contracts and partnerships, (iii) legal advice and counsel to the CEO, senior management and the CHA Board of Commissioners on contractual, regulatory compliance, risk and policy matters, (iv) oversight of all legal matters and litigation involving CHA or its affiliates, and (v) general administration of the Office of the General Counsel comprised of real estate, labor and employment, contracts, litigation, policy and administrative functions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the chief legal officer representing CHA (and its affiliate entities) in all legal and regulatory matters. Oversees and manages the provision of all legal services to CHA to ensure maximum protection of its legal rights and efficacy of its operations while maintaining same within the limits prescribed by law and contract.
• Directs the CHA’s Office of General Counsel and supervises a team of attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff.
• Provides ongoing strategic counseling, legal advice and support to the Chief Executive Officer, senior management team, all business functions, and the CHA Board of Commissioners.
• Researches and renders final opinions on the legality of any course of conduct by CHA and proposed or existing CHA policies or procedures, and interprets laws, rules and regulations affecting the administration of the Authority and other matters pertaining thereto.
• Oversees or, as the Office of General Counsel’s capabilities permit, effects (i) the preparation, administration, and execution of proceedings necessary in the acquisition and disposition of real property; (ii) the preparation and handling of court proceedings in connection with securing tax exemptions and other actions, and (iii) the preparation of necessary documentation for real estate transactions by CHA.
• As delegated and limited by the Board of Commissioners, issues legal opinions, brings actions on behalf of the Board, and takes any actions required by law and to settle any matter, including federal and state court cases, administrative enforcement agency cases, workers’ compensation claims, employment issues and contract disputes.
• As the Office of General Counsel’s capabilities permit, drafts and negotiates to final execution version or oversees the drafting and negotiation of, and approves all contract documents prior to their execution; interprets and renders opinions on CHA's responsibilities, powers, and obligations under contracts; administers contract settlement negotiations when disputes occur; as necessary, reviews and modifies contracts and prepares all accompanying resolutions for Board of Commissioners’ consideration.
• Oversees the preparation and provides strategic support for the passage of all proposed City Council ordinances relating to matters concerning the CHA such as site approval, zoning amendments and cooperative agreements, and testifies before City Council committees on behalf of the CHA.
• Reviews local, state, and federal legislative proposals and provides advice and recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Commissioners and senior management on their legal impact to the CHA's interests. When applicable, drafts and submits comments on proposed HUD regulations, federal, state and local laws and regulations of import to CHA.
• Oversees all legal work in connection with financing arrangements, temporary and permanent bond issue documents, and any interest in which CHA acts as mortgagee in its cooperative undertakings with non-for-profit enterprises and partnerships.
• Represents and negotiates on behalf of CHA to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and advances the interests of CHA in fulfilling the terms and conditions of the CHA’s obligations and other regulatory matters with HUD.
• Provides advice and counsel to the Human Resources Department, CEO and senior management regarding all employment matters.
• Governs the use of all outside counsel resources and contracts and actively manages all outside attorneys providing legal advice, representation and counsel to the CHA.
• Retains hearing officers, arbitrators, mediators and other consultants as necessary to further the interests of the Authority.
• Assists in ensuring the Authority’s compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and provides periodic training to all Authority staff to help facilitate their ability to perform their jobs within the Authority’s Code of Ethics and Work Rules.
• Responsible for all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants for the General Counsel position must have superior writing skills, excellent verbal communication skills, broad knowledge of the law, and in-depth knowledge of laws and processes applicable to the development and financing of affordable and mixed-income housing and mixed-use developments.

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years legal experience practicing primarily real estate law in the public or private sector is required, with a preference given to candidates who have represented developers and/or housing authorities with respect to the development, financing and/or operation of projects including affordable housing and tax credit developments.
• Prior management and supervisory experience is required.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local real estate-related laws and regulations, including HUD regulations pertaining to public housing, multi-family housing, as well as knowledge of low-income housing tax credits, is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of trial practices and procedures in federal and state courts, as well as federal, state, and local administrative agencies is preferred, but applicants without direct litigation experience must have prior experience successfully managing outside litigation counsel.
• Applicants must have a superior academic record, a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school, and be admitted to and in good standing with the Illinois Bar, or alternatively, be admitted to and in good standing with the bar of another state that has reciprocity with the Illinois Bar, so as to allow for that applicant’s admission to the Illinois Bar.

SALARY RANGE: $171,000 - $215,000

TO APPLY - ALL APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE THE APPLICATION ON THE COMPANY WEBSITE BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW

https://careers.thecha.org/

send resumes to: AALLEN@THECHA.ORG

This is not a Hybrid position. This position will report to the central office location Mon - Fri, 8a - 5p.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $171,000.00 - $215,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• Bar (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Chicago, IL 60605 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Chicago, IL 60605: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person