Staff Attorney

Company Overview

Berkshire Residential Investments is a people-first real estate investment company who values not only the impact we make as a company, but the time we spend together in our high-performing teams. We value individual skills and perspectives to allow us to best serve our employees, investors, residents, and other stakeholders.

If you’re interested in a workplace where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work each day, come join our talented and growing team at Berkshire Residential Investments. Our environment of entrepreneurial spirit, culture of expertise and our people-first approach will allow you to thrive while continuing to grow in your career.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of Assistant General Counsel, the Staff Attorney will lead work on complex legal matters and manage legal projects for Berkshire and its affiliates with a focus on day-to-day operations.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Drive internal risk management efforts:

• Supervise claims services partnering with outside broker and consultant
• Manage claims against third party insurance carriers as needed
• Assist with annual insurance renewal process
• Coordinate internally regarding insurance and risk management matters and communicate with outside broker regarding corporate objectives

Responsible for property-related legal matters:

• Advise on legal questions related to property operations strategy
• Conduct legal assessment on new matters; recommend/execute legal strategy leveraging internal and external resources as appropriate
• Advise on ADA/Fair Housing questions and investigate allegations of discrimination
• Manage outside counsel and maintain supervisory responsibility for matters assigned to outside counsel
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders confirming information and materials needed for active legal matters are provided in a timely manner 
• Conduct vendor contract review and negotiate with vendors to optimize terms
• Advise property operations team regarding response to resident complaints
• Manage special portfolio-wide projects and policies
• Advise relative to property and land use matters
• Coordinate the review of retail leases
• Manage mechanics/construction liens

Support Human Resources relative to:

• Employee relations matters, including investigations
• Implementing policy and process changes relative to the law
• Drafting offer letters; reviewing termination recommendations

Other:

• Assist with special projects as assigned by General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel
• Attend industry conferences, meetings and stay current with publications and reports to remain apprised of legal developments and industry practice
• Consistently demonstrate use of tact and discretion

Knowledge/ Experience:

• One to three 1-3 years' relevant law firm and/or in-house experience
• Knowledge of general corporate law, as well as knowledge of other substantive areas, including real estate and contract law
• Ability to exercise independent legal judgment and maintain responsibility/ownership for assigned matters moving them forward to timely conclusion
• Demonstrated ability to draft and negotiate corporate and real estate related agreements
• Experience drafting and negotiating vendor contracts including those for SaaS platforms
• Demonstrated analytic skills, including excellent negotiation and drafting capabilities
• Aptitude for organizing, prioritizing, and managing multiple priorities, using critical thinking and problem solving
• Demonstrated multi-modal communication style that reaches every stakeholder, specifically excellent verbal, and written communications
• Ability to communicate with and manage up to senior management
• Collaborative working style with inclusive work and thinking behaviors, commitment to excellence in teams and work product, with a strong work ethic
• Demonstrate emotional intelligence in high pressure and sensitive situations
• Tenacity, patience, and perseverance to work with business deals from beginning to end of process
• Represent the Berkshire employment brand well to candidates by seeking to understand the capabilities and insights of people with unique backgrounds, cultures, styles, and abilities
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and communications of information
• Develop productive working relationships with all team members including internal clients and external third parties
• Demonstrated high level of ethics and integrity with a straightforward and honest approach

Technical/Educational Requirements:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Member of the Massachusetts Bar, or member of a state Bar in good standing with ability to obtain Single-Client status or full waiver from Massachusetts
• Demonstrated ability to use and learn new technology (e.g., computers/hardware, mobile, software, cloud-based programs)
• Proficiency with computers, keyboards, monitors and telephone headsets.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite of Products (e.g., Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, Power Point)

Berkshire Residential offers an excellent benefits package, focusing on our employees’ total health and wellness. We offer programs and incentives that promote physical, mental, financial, and behavioral wellbeing both within and beyond our workplace. Please visit our Careers page for full details – and to learn more about how we value our employees.

Berkshire Residential values diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Berkshire is committed to providing equal opportunity in all practices, including employees and applicants for employment. We ensure that decisions affecting employees are made without regard to their race, color, creed, national origin, age, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.