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City of Baltimore · 22 hours ago

Assistant Counsel (NCS) - Department of Housing and Community Development

Charles L. Benton, Jr. Building

Full-time

Hybrid

Entry, Mid Level

$81K/yr - $130K/yr

2+ years exp

The City of Baltimore is dedicated to driving social impact and enhancing community development. They are seeking an Assistant Counsel to perform legal work related to property titles, tax foreclosure procedures, and provide legal advice to support the Department of Housing and Community Development's goals.

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Responsibilities

Creating title abstracts, examining titles, and advising other DHCD attorneys and real estate staff on legal aspects related to real property titles

Drafting and reviewing documents, such as contracts, deeds, leases, rights of entry, releases, etc., related to the purchase and sale of real property

Examining instruments and opinions prepared by other attorneys and advise of the legal requirements in connection with titles

Searching and examine land records and write opinions on titles

Where necessary, preparing cases for filing and litigation

Assisting in the coordination of development activities with Community Organizations, inter and intra agency and divisions and other partners

Performs legal research and renders legal opinions on questions that are raised and submitted by the agency (DHCD), drafting agency agreements, contracts, and other legal documents

May administer procurement and service contracts; participate in vendor selection and monitor contracts to ensure compliance with specifications and conditions; assign and review work of paralegals

Represents DHCD, on behalf of the Mayor and City Council, on matters relating to property acquisition in District Court, Circuit Court, and at the appellate level

Files and maintains cases in Tax Sale Foreclosure, Condemnation, In Rem Foreclosure, and other legal theories; manages a large docket of said cases and sees them through to judgment; represents DHCD, for MCC, in hearings and trials as required

Writes, reviews, alters, and approves for legal sufficiency various legal documents required by DHCD relating to the acquisition and disposition of Real Property. Such documents include, but are not limited to deeds, mortgages, releases, contracts, land disposition agreements, settlement agreements, liens, etc

Performs title examinations on title abstracts received by the DHCD, identifying defects, deciding on and executing cures, and advising the Development Division on actions required to ensure that it obtains or conveys marketable, insurable title to properties, in pursuit of DHCD’s objectives

Drafts legislation before the Maryland General Assembly and City Council of Baltimore, reviewing bills in said bodies that may affect DHCD’s interests and opinions on whether to support, oppose, or amend said bills; and testifies before legislative bodies related to legislation

Drafts, reviews, and recommends approval or disapproval of rules, regulations, and policies to carry out approved legislation and DHCD goals. Also, represents DHCD before various bodies including Board of Estimates, legislative bodies, community groups, etc

Supervises, assigns, and reviews the work of paralegals and other legal administrative support staff

Qualification

Juris DoctorTrial work experienceLegal writingMunicipal law experienceReal estate laws knowledgeTax sale foreclosure knowledgeMicrosoft Office SuiteTitle examinationJudgmentDiscretionEffective communicationConfidentialityRelationship building

Required

A Juris Doctor from an accredited college or university and must have passed the Bar Exam

Two years of experience in trial work, legal writing and/or municipal law

Knowledge of real estate laws, practices and procedures

Knowledge of laws and regulations governing tax sale foreclosure, and condemnation proceedings as they relate to the conveyance of title

Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, with at least an intermediate level of skill/experience in Word and Outlook specifically

Ability to search and underwrite titles for Baltimore City

Ability to report title for Baltimore real property and comment on or negotiate title insurance binders with title companies

Ability to research judgements and tax liens in Baltimore City

Ability to research probate and estate records

Ability to evaluate real estate appraisal data

Ability to review and evaluate title abstracts and reports

Ability to conduct internet searches

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of governmental agencies, property owners and the general public

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting departmental policies, laws, rules, regulations and procedures

Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information

Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, staff of other agencies and the general public