Legal Counsel - Real Estate

Toronto Community Housing; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 143,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Four weeks vacation

Pension plan with OMERS

Health & dental benefits

Health spending account

Employee assistance program

Maternity and parental leave top up

Tuition reimbursement $1500/year

Fitness membership discount

Job summary

Toronto Community Housing seeks a high-performing Legal Counsel in Real Estate to handle development issues on revitalization projects and broad real estate matters across its portfolio. You will deliver proactive legal advice and representation to staff in line with the tenant-focused culture.

Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel, you will draft and review purchase agreements, easements, and commercial leases, mentor staff, and provide training on housing legislation including Housing Services

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with staff, business partners, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage a heavy file load with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Work with Senior Legal Counsel, Real Estate on real estate matters including development issues on revitalization projects, title and boundary disputes, severances, and commercial contracts.
• Draft, review and advise on purchase and sale agreements, easements, subdivision and planning documents, and environmental matters.
• Provide legal opinions and respond to client requirements.
• Educate, train and mentor Toronto Community Housing managers and staff on real estate and Housing Services Act compliance.
• Mentor and supervise administrative legal support staff.

Education

Bachelor of Laws / Juris Doctor

Job description

Salary/Hourly Range: $142,987.19 - $157,285.91

Work Details (Days/Hours): Monday – Friday, 36.25 hours per week

Division and Department: Legal Services

Existing/New Job: Existing

What We Offer

In addition to a competitive salary and a rewarding career where you can truly make a difference, we offer a comprehensive package that meets the various needs of our diverse employees, including:

• Ability to participate in inclusive employee-led networks to educate, inspire, amplify voices, build relationships and provide development opportunities;
• Minimum four (4) weeks of paid annual vacation days, increasing with years of service;
• Four (4) paid personal days;
• Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, includes 100-per-cent employer matching;
• Health and dental benefits, including a health spending account available upon your start date;
• Employee and family assistance program;
• Maternity and parental leave top up (93% of base salary);
• Training and development programs including tuition reimbursement of $1500 per calendar year;
• Fitness membership discount.

Hybrid Job: This job offers the opportunity to work from home as part of a hybrid work arrangement. This arrangement will allow you to work some days at a TCHC work location and the rest of the time from home. The amount of time required to work at a TCHC work location is flexible, while considering operational and service delivery requirements.

Make a difference

We are looking for a high-performing Legal Counsel to join our Legal Services Division - Real Estate Law Section. You will play an integral role on a wide assortment of real estate files, including development issues on our revitalization projects and real estate matters arising across our extensive portfolio of properties. In this role, you will be responsible for the delivery of quality, proactive legal advice and representation to Toronto Community Housing staff in support of the organization’s business goals and objectives in a manner that aligns with TCHC's tenant focused culture.

What You’ll Do

• Work in conjunction with the Senior Legal Counsel, Real Estate and independently on real estate matters including development issues on our revitalization projects, the transfer of "stand alone" houses, title and boundary disputes, severances, commercial leasing, secured & unsecured financings, construction matters and disputes and environmental issues relating to real property.
• Work with all levels of organizational staff on matters relating to Toronto Community Housing’s real estate portfolio.
• Draft, review and advise on all manner of documents, including, agreements of purchase and sale, easements, access and encroachment agreements, subdivision and planning documents, severances and commercial contracts.
• Provide advice to individuals within the corporation and respond to specific client requirements.
• Research and provide legal opinions.
• Provide education, training and mentoring to Toronto Community Housing managers and staff on all matters related to real estate and compliance with related legislation, including the Housing Services Act.
• Mentor and supervise administrative legal support staff.

What You’ll Need

• License to to Practice law in Ontario (L1 license and membership in good standing with the Law Society of Upper Canada).
• Bachelor of Laws, Baccalaureate of Law, or Juris Doctor.
• 3 - 5 years post-call, knowledge and proven experience in the areas of real estate, leasing, municipal law, environmental law, experience with a law firm or in-house legal department is preferred.
• Ability to provide advice on a wide variety of real estate related legal issues including tenders and procurement is preferred.
• Working knowledge of relevant real estate legislation and other legislation applicable to the operations of Toronto Community Housing is preferred.
• Ability to manage a heavy file load and efficiently manage external legal counsel.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Proven ability to interact effectively with and engage a variety of stakeholders including: staff, business partners, City of Toronto officials, and community groups.
• Excellent conflict resolution and organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and presentation skills.

What's Next

Once you apply, we'll review your resume and cover letter to determine if your skills and experience match the qualifications for the role. Only qualified candidates will be contacted to move forward in the hiring process. If you are contacted, the process will include an interview, written/practical test, and reference check.