Real Estate Counsel

PURPOSE          

According to prescribed policies and procedures of the organization including all applicable state, federal and accreditation regulations and under the general supervision of SVP/General Counsel, assumes responsibility for providing real estate related legal services for the organization and serves as support to the Office of General Counsel for real estate and other transactional legal matters.  As our organization holds over $2B in real estate assets, this role is essential to managing our real estate risks across the country.  It is anticipated that this attorney will work closely with our development acquisitions team and our asset management team on real estate related matters.  This role will also be expected to support broader transactions in our senior living and senior services business lines from a due diligence, contract drafting, and closing perspective.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides accurate and timely counsel in a variety of real estate legal topics, including but not limited to acquisitions, divestures, limited partnership transactions, easements, title and survey issues, pre-development matters (lot splits, land banking), zoning and entitlements, and environmental issues; also responsible for providing legal representation, advice, and opinions in related substantive areas of law.
• Strong understanding of real estate law, including property ownership, contracts, title issues, zoning regulations, and closing procedures.  Additional understanding related to HUD and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs is an essential part of the job.
• Works with the compliance team to ensure real estate regulations, including real estate broker requirements, are followed.
• Ensures compliance with internal governance policies and regularly monitor compliance related to real estate entities and documentation. Assumes responsibility for ensuring that the company conducts its business in compliance with all regulatory and legislative requirements.
• Ensures all corporate proceedings are conducted according to structure requirements. Propose and coordinates all adjustments to corporate structure including adding and dissolving legal entities in coordination with other senior staff.
• Researches and evaluates different risk factors regarding business decisions and operations in coordination with operations and finance staff.
• Drafts and reviews agreements, contracts and other legal documents to ensure the company’s full legal rights and consistent covenant agreements. Negotiates and advise on contracts, including real estate purchase and sale agreements, limited partnership exits, and property sales.
• Participates in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures and programs and provides continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters
• Supports the selection, retention, management and evaluation of all outside counsel for real estate matters.
• Advises on legal aspects of the company’s financing, including assessing and advising on current and future business structures and legal entities.
• Ensures all corporate organization documents are appropriate and adequately maintained.

EXPECTATIONS

• Demonstrates and maintains a positive, professional manner, manages time efficiently and effectively, provides leadership as a role model to promote a team approach, collaborates and participates in policy creation and appropriate problem-solving methods.

• Must adhere to all policies, procedures, terms and conditions set forth in the National Church Residences’ Employee Information Guide (EIG), the Code of Conduct, as well as any facility handbook, including but not limited to, corporate compliance, drug free workplace, safe work practices, all federal, state, local regulations and laws.

• With respect to Resident Rights, ensures all care is provided with respect and dignity for the residents/clients, their families and the staff. Reports all complaints made by residents/clients and/or families to the appropriate supervisors, reports all allegations of abuse, misappropriation of funds/resident property and/or any other corporate compliance, drug free workplace, safe work practices, all federal, state and local regulations and laws.

• Completes all annual education requirements timely, including but not limited to Compliance, Privacy, Security and HIPAA training and exhibits behavior as set forth by the Code of Conduct in the performance of their duties.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education:        Law degree and admitted to the bar in the State of Ohio

Experience:       A minimum of three years’ experience as in-house counsel or working within a law firm is preferred.

Mental:             Must have excellent communication, comprehension, and interpersonal skills.  Must have the ability to speak, read, write and understand English, as well as the ability to make self-understood.

Skills:                  Must have good working computer skills with basic professional computer software (Microsoft Office suite, Windows, etc.) and the capacity for learning new software systems quickly.  Must be self-directed with excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage tasks and assignments concurrently.  Must be able to successfully lead others in an environment of complexity.

Must have strong motivational skills and a high emotional intelligence quotient (EQ)

Travel:              Occasional

Licensure:          Admitted to the bar in the State of Ohio

              #JointheMission2

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, military status, disability, genetic information and/or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.