Legal Counsel

MAINE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY; Augusta (ME); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement match

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid holidays

Generous earned time

Job summary

MaineHousing is seeking a licensed attorney to provide comprehensive legal services for affordable housing projects and related transactions. The role focuses on real estate, lending, and regulatory compliance to support housing development and preservation.

The ideal candidate has a JD and Maine Bar license with experience in housing law, commercial lending, or public sector work. Hybrid work and a robust benefits package are offered.

Qualifications

• JD degree and Maine Bar License required or preferred.
• Experience in housing, real estate, or public sector beneficial.
• Combination of education and work experience considered.
• Experience with transactional law is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist developers, investors, loan officers and partners in closing complex transactions.
• Prepare and negotiate closing documents including loan agreements and mortgages.
• Review and negotiate security, purchase and sale agreements, conveyance docs.
• Conduct closings and oversee post-closing issues.
• Assist with ownership transfers, workouts, loan restructuring and refinancing.
• Advise on regulatory compliance and contract law.
• Represent MaineHousing in hearings or litigation as needed.

Skills

Housing experience

Real estate

Litigation

Commercial lending

Government programs knowledge

Leadership

Problem solving

Project management

Time management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Maine Bar License

Job description

Primary Purpose of Position

Counsel provides legal services to MaineHousing to assist Maine people in obtaining and maintaining quality affordable housing and services suitable to their housing needs.

Education and Experience

JD degree and Maine Bar License and some real estate, commercial lending, affordable housing, public sector, or an appropriate combination of education and work experience preferred but not required.

Core Functions

Transactional Work

• Assist developers, investors, loan officers and other partners in closing complex transactions for affordable multifamily and supportive housing projects.
• Prepare and negotiate closing documents, including, but not limited to, loan agreements, promissory notes, mortgages, security agreements, declarations of covenants and tax credit documents.
• Review and negotiate other forms of security, including, but not limited to, purchase and sale agreements, construction and bonding agreements, conveyance documents, title insurance materials, surveys, and organizational documents.
• Conduct closings and oversee post-closing issues.
• Assist with ownership transfers, workouts, loan restructuring and refinancing.

General Legal Work

• As legal issues arise, review correspondence and documents; research state and federal regulations; and consult with state and federal agencies.
• Advise Director and staff on legal issues such as regulatory compliance, contract law, commercial law, litigation, and real estate law.
• Draft and negotiate contracts and other documents.
• Represent MaineHousing in agency administrative hearings, Maine Human Rights Commission hearings and litigation on occasion as necessary.

Other duties as assigned

Skills and Knowledge

• Experience in housing, real estate, general litigation, and commercial lending
• Experience or familiarity with government programs and regulations
• Demonstrated leadership with a high level of ingenuity, creativity, judgment, and problem solving skills
• Strong project management, time management, and organizational skills
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with business partners
• Experience communicating effectively in front of group
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and utilize creative and analytical skills to resolve issues

Working Conditions

MaineHousing office hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Some in-state and out-of-state travel may be required. Up to two days a week of telework may be available.

Reports To

Chief Counsel

Band D

The salary range for this position is $115,114 - $173,668. All new employees will start at the annual salary of $115,114, unless otherwise agreed to by MaineHousing. MaineHousing also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including, but not limited to, health, dental and vision, retirement options with employer match, life insurance, short and long-term disability, employee assistance, generous earned time and all major federal holidays. Employment is eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Position may remain open until a suitable candidate is found

This position description is not a complete list of duties or responsibilities of this role, nor is it an employment contract. This is an “at-will” position. Date last revised: September 2026