The Managing Counsel is a leadership role, integral to the Executive Management team of the URA. The Managing Counsel will help guide the day-to-day operations of the Legal Department. The Managing Counsel is the senior attorney of the URA. This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for providing legal advice and services to the URA and its affiliates. The Managing Counsel supervises all other counsels, assigning tasks, overseeing legal matters, negotiating, and drafting various documents for transactional matters. They also provide mentorship and training to legal staff. Additionally, the Managing Counsel retains and supervises outside counsel as necessary. An ideal Managing Counsel will be passionate, thoughtful, innovative, willing to work collaboratively, actively seek process improvement strategies, and will have experience structuring and negotiating equitable development transactions.
Job title: Managing CounselDepartment: Central OperationsDivisional Unit: Executive Salary Band: $125,000-$133,000
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Full Time/Exempt Essential Functions and Responsibilities:- Provides prompt legal and strategic advice to the Executive Director, Chief Operations Officer, and URA Board.
- Manages the Legal Department, overseeing other counsel, paralegals, and support staff.
- Coordinates and/or directly provides legal advice and services to all departments of the URA, and its affiliates.
- Manages real estate transactions and seeks process improvements while maintaining compliance with the URA's enabling legislation and all other applicable state and federal law.
- Reviews URA's financing/grant program guidelines to ensure compliance with state and federal funding sources, and review projects funded by the URA for compliance with said funding sources.
- Seeks process improvement strategies for managing workflow in the Legal Department.
- Manages outside counsel and the outside counsel budget for the organization.
- Manages transactional relationships with the City of Pittsburgh Legal and Finance Departments.
- Coordinates the preparation of the URA Board agenda and meeting minutes.
- Supervises and oversees litigation on behalf of the URA and actively represents the URA in litigation as appropriate.
- Coordinates and/or directly provides research and support to the URA in all its legal affairs, including, but not limited to, land use, environmental, housing, finance, lending, contracts, and other matters.
- Reviews rules, policies, plans, and forms prepared by other authorities or City departments for the URA for compliance with applicable laws.
- Researches legal issues and prepares memoranda and correspondence.
- Maintains and develops expertise regarding statutes, regulations, and case law affecting the URA
- Drafts and implements rules, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to the URA.
- Partner with HR leadership on employment law and human resources best practices.
- Represents the URA regarding legal issues before its Board of Directors and other bodies.
- Drafts and oversees budgets, performance reviews, and all other aspects of managing the Legal Department.
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with elected officials, all levels of URA management, other elected and appointed governmental officials, consultants, contractors, developers, vendors, employees, media representatives, and the public.
- Presents proposals and recommendations clearly, logically, and persuasively in all contexts.
- Plans, monitors, and evaluates the work of all Legal Department staff.
- Provides mentorship and on-the-job training to all Legal Department staff.
- Exercises tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex, and confidential issues and situations.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements and Qualifications: - The Managing Counsel must have a Juris Doctorate degree.
- The Managing Counsel must: (i) have an active license to practice law in Pennsylvania, (ii) have passed the Pennsylvania Bar Exam, and (iii) have at least ten (10) years' experience in practicing law and (3) years of experience supervising attorneys and other legal staff.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal clients and external stakeholders.
- Experience providing high-level strategic legal advice and support to clients in commercial transactions and/or disputes.
- Strong knowledge of Pennsylvania and federal law related to real estate development and commercial transactions.
- Substantive experience researching and applying Commonwealth of Pennsylvania laws, codes, regulations, and court decisions as they affect the URA.
- Experience negotiating and drafting documents for complex commercial transactions, including, but not limited to, residential, commercial, and consumer lending transactions.
- Experience with creditors' rights.
- Knowledge of employment law and human resources best practices.
- Strong experience in negotiating complex transactions in a variety of contexts, including, but not limited to, litigation, real estate acquisitions and dispositions, lending, complex financial structures, etc.
- Experience coordinating and managing engagements with external counsel.
- Desire to work in a mission-based organization.
- Experience drafting pleadings, transactional documents, letters, memoranda, etc.
- Consistent ability to exercise sound, expert, and independent judgement.
Physical Requirements: - Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 lbs., standing, sitting, reaching and stretching.
- Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone.
URA Employee Benefit Offerings:- 25 PTO Days in Year 1
- 13 Paid Holidays
- Hybrid Work Policy (3 in-office/2 remote)
- High quality, affordable medical insurance
- 100% company paid dental insurance
- 100% company paid vision insurance
- 100% company paid group term life insurance
- 100% company paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
- 457b Retirement Plan with a 5% company match
- 6 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
- FSA, DCA, Commuter Transit and Parking Benefits, Student Loan Benefits, Educational Reimbursement, Continuing Education support, voluntary Life Insurance policies, and more!
Disclaimers:The URA is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual origination, political, and/or union affiliation.
AN APPLICANT MUST BE A CITY OF PITTSBURGH RESIDENT OR BECOME ONE AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT AT THE URA.PM22
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