Deputy General Counsel I

Seattle Housing Authority; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

PERS retirement system

Generous paid leave and holidays

Option for part-time remote work

Job summary

Seattle Housing Authority seeks a Deputy General Counsel I to advise on SHA programs, representing SHA in courts and administrative venues. The role focuses on landlord-tenant matters, contract review, and compliance with federal housing programs.

The ideal candidate has a WA-licensed JD, 3+ years of experience, and expertise across employment, real estate, and housing regulations, with strong litigation and counseling skills.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with admission to the Washington State Bar.
• Active Washington State Bar Association membership.
• Three (3) years of professional legal experience.
• Experience and expertise in employment, labor relations, real estate/land use, public works construction/financing (including tax-credit projects), federal purchasing/contracting, landlord-tenant law, and housing/program laws.

Responsibilities

• Represent SHA in Superior Court unlawful detainer proceedings and appeals.
• Provide legal counsel and recommendations regarding SHA programs and staff needs.
• Advise on landlord-tenant issues, including notices, terminations, and enforcement per state/city/federal law.
• Draft notices, pleadings, and briefs for unlawful detainers and related actions; attend hearings and depositions.
• Represent SHA in court proceedings; interact with outside counsel and risk management staff.
• Provide counsel in hearings related to fraudulent activity, vouchers, HAP contracts, and employee misconduct.
• Respond to EEOC/HUD/Human Rights complaints and conduct witness interviews/depositions.
• Assist General Counsel with complex matters and provide legal opinions.

Skills

Landlord-tenant law

Employment

Labor relations

Real estate and land use

Public works construction and public

Federal purchasing and contracting

Section 8 and housing programs

Washington State housing laws

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Job description

We offer competitive salary, great benefits, and work that matters to our community.

The Organization:

The Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) is a mission-driven leader in affordable housing, headquartered on Elliott Avenue West with sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Puget Sound. With additional field offices across Seattle, we’re committed to expanding housing opportunities, strengthening communities, and supporting a workplace where people grow and thrive.

The position:

We’re looking for aDeputy General CounselI to join our team! This role is perfect for someone who canwork under the direction of the General Counsel to provide legal advice, service assistance and recommendations with respect to SHA programs and activities; represent SHA in various courts, administrative, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings; prepare various legal documents; train, supervise and evaluate assigned staff.

We anticipate the person filling this position will work primarily on landlord-tenant issues related to lease enforcement and represent SHA in unlawful detainer proceedings but may be assigned other legal work as it arises.

The Location:

101 Elliott Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119

The ideal candidate will have:

• Graduation from an accredited law school with admission to the Washington State Bar
• Active Washington State Bar Association membership
• Three (3) years of professional legal experience
• Experience and expertise in one or more of the following practice areas:
  • Employment
  • Labor and employee relations
  • Real estate and land use
  • Public works construction and public financing (including tax-credit projects)
  • Federal purchasing and contracting laws and regulations
  • Landlord-tenant law
  • State laws regulating public agencies and municipalities, including the Washington State Housing Authorities Law (Chapter 35.82 RCW)
  • Federal laws and regulations applicable to low-income public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs
  • Federal programs for public housing agencies, such as Moving to Work and Section 3 requirements

Special consideration for experience with Washington State landlord-tenant laws

What will you do?

• Represent SHA in Superior Court unlawful detainer proceedings and appeals, if any.
• Provide legal counsel, service assistance and recommendations with respect to SHA programs and activities; advise and counsel staff on matters relating to the provision of low-income housing and federally funded housing vouchers.
• Provide counsel and recommendations relating to landlord-tenant issues, including but not limited to unlawful detainer litigation, notices/terminations for cause and for non-pay, and related procedures and requirements under state law, city ordinances, and federal law and regulations.
• Draft notices, letters, pleadings, and briefing for unlawful detainers and other lease enforcement actions; attend grievance hearings related to unlawful detainers and other lease enforcement processes; meet with opposing counsel to discuss termination or other lease enforcement involving tenants or program participants; present and argue motions before judges and commissioners of the Superior Court related to lease enforcement actions; conduct interviews and depositions of witnesses involved in lease enforcement; and track lease enforcement actions through the court system.
• Represent SHA in court proceedings or interact with outside counsel representing SHA in court proceedings relating to agency liability; meet with opposing counsel to discuss issues relating to such matters; conduct interviews and depositions of witnesses involved in lawsuits; draft legal pleadings; support and interact with SHA’s Risk Management staff.
• Advise, counsel, and represent SHA and its staff in hearings or court proceedings relating to fraudulent activity, including but not limited to activity related to vouchers and certificates, housing assistance payments (HAP) contracts, and employee misconduct; conduct and attend interviews and depositions of witnesses; draft documents to recover funds owed to SHA lost to fraudulent misconduct.
• Respond to EEOC on complaints filed by SHA employees; respond to complaints filed with Seattle Human Rights Department, Washington State Human Rights Commission, and HUD; conduct and attend interviews and depositions of witnesses.
• Respond to civil rights complaints filed by SHA tenants or program participants; respond to complaints filed with HUD or referred for investigation to the Seattle Office of Civil Rights and/or Washington State Human Rights Commission; conduct and attend interviews and depositions of witnesses.
• Assist the General Counsel in providing legal services and representation to SHA and its employees; render legal services on matters involving considerable difficulty and complexity including questions for which no clear legal precedent is available.
• Analyze problems, conduct legal research, and provide legal opinions related to difficult and complex legal problems; respond to requests from private attorneys, local governmental officials, and the general public for explanations of SHA policies and practices involving significant legal issues.
• In conjunction with the SHA Accommodations Coordinators, provide advice and counsel to SHA Housing Operations regarding reasonable accommodation issues for disabled residents under the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Fair Housing Amendments Act, and Washington state laws against housing discrimination.
• Render legal opinions with respect to Public Housing.
• Attend resident, manager, supervisor, and other meetings to discuss legal issues and answer questions regarding SHA processes, procedures, and policies.
• Operate a computer and other office equipment as assigned.
• Participate in the development and implementation of goals, work plans, performance measures, and continuous improvement of service delivery to assist in attaining the unit/program/department initiatives and goals, agency core strategies, and mission through a spirit of service, teamwork, and respect. Work respectfully and courteously with other employees, follow direction, and work well under pressure.
• Provide advice and counsel to SHA management regarding employment and labor law issues, including discrimination, disabled employees, workplace policies, Family and Medical Leave, wages and hour issues, worker’s compensation programs, collective bargaining, Unfair Labor Practices, and grievances.
• Provide advice and counsel to SHA employees regarding contracts, construction and design, and procurement. Prepare standardized contract language; prepare, review, and revise contracts.
• Provide training to SHA management and employees regarding prevention of sexual and other discriminatory harassment.
• Advise and/or represent SHA in collective bargaining negotiations; prepare and revise collective bargaining agreement drafts; advise and/or represent SHA in any employment grievances or unfair labor practice proceedings.
• Work closely with the General Counsel’s Office paralegal in the performance of support tasks performed in furtherance of legal proceedings.
• Ensure that all safety and health rules, standards and procedures are observed;; ensure that accident investigations of all accidents are formally reported on or within the next workday of when the accident occurred; monitor and enforce the agency’s Safety and Health Program and actively support and participate in the Emergency Preparedness program and tasks.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

For additional information on the job, please see the full job description.

Why Should You Apply?

• Our Culture: SHA offers a supportive, energetic workplace where collaboration and growth thrive. Our talented team has helped make us a nationally recognized leader in affordable housing and community development.
• Competitive Salary
• Comprehensive Benefits
  1. Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  2. Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS)
  3. Generous paid leave and holidays
• Work-Life Balance
  1. Reasonable hours
  2. Opportunity for part-time remote work (dependent on the position)
• Professional Development
  1. On-the-job training and growth opportunities

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Our Commitment to Equity

SHA values your unique background and perspective - we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every listed qualification. Learn more in our diversity and application equity statement.