What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney, Legal Affairs position at National Apartment Association (Naahq)?
Description
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Staff Attorney (Legal Affairs) is responsible for providing legal research, analysis, drafting support and other legal services to staff covering a wide array of legal matters that may arise in the multifamily industry. This position will also act as a liaison for the company in legal matters, and coordinate with outside counsel as needed. The staff attorney will help carry out many functions of the Legal Affairs department, including business support, contract review, document and policy review, committee participation, strategic advice and analysis to internal and external stakeholders, and legislative involvement, as required. The staff attorney will also support the legal and compliance aspects of NAA’s Click & Lease program and other legal and regulatory compliance products.
About The NAA Click & Lease Program
The National Apartment Association (NAA) Click & Lease program provides NAA members with the opportunity to use web-based software to create, edit, manage, and execute apartment leasing forms using the official NAA state leasing forms. The Lease program currently sells leasing forms which cover 49 states, D.C., Canada, and the U.K. Forms are developed, reviewed, and maintained by NAA staff with input from outside attorneys for each jurisdiction.
Principal Accountabilities
Click & Lease Support:
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Staff Attorney (Legal Affairs) is responsible for providing legal research, analysis, drafting support and other legal services to staff covering a wide array of legal matters that may arise in the multifamily industry. This position will also act as a liaison for the company in legal matters, and coordinate with outside counsel as needed. The staff attorney will help carry out many functions of the Legal Affairs department, including business support, contract review, document and policy review, committee participation, strategic advice and analysis to internal and external stakeholders, and legislative involvement, as required. The staff attorney will also support the legal and compliance aspects of NAA’s Click & Lease program and other legal and regulatory compliance products.
About The NAA Click & Lease Program
The National Apartment Association (NAA) Click & Lease program provides NAA members with the opportunity to use web-based software to create, edit, manage, and execute apartment leasing forms using the official NAA state leasing forms. The Lease program currently sells leasing forms which cover 49 states, D.C., Canada, and the U.K. Forms are developed, reviewed, and maintained by NAA staff with input from outside attorneys for each jurisdiction.
Principal Accountabilities
Click & Lease Support:
- Assist in drafting and maintaining conventional and specialty lease forms for use in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
- Review and approve the work of outside attorneys to ensure that the product remains legally viable for the jurisdiction in with it is provided
- Monitor and analyze legislation, case law and other jurisprudence (including executive orders, administrative regulations, agency regulations and policies, etc.) in order to assess the need to amend or modify the lease forms or provide analysis
- Respond to member inquiries related to the Click & Lease forms
- Provide legal support and guidance to various departments
- Perform legal research and prepare legal memoranda and/or legal briefs
- Assist in drafting legal analysis of laws/orders affecting the industry, articles, whitepapers, etc. which are distributed to members and/or the industry at large
- Liaise with other staff attorneys and departments on projects as assigned
- Answer member/customer legal questions and concerns regarding NAA legal products
- Draft, review, and assist in negotiating contracts
- Understand contract management tools and begins utilizing it to manage workflow, tracks contracts, and retains accurate contract records
- Ability to communicate effectively, in person and via technology with staff, outside counsel, external stakeholders, and other third parties
- Develop and provide input on legal and legislative materials, as well as presentation and advocacy materials
- Contribute content and occasional copy-editing to NAA publications and messaging materials that touch on legal topics
- Ability to manage multiple, concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment
- Work in support of the overall strategic success of the Association
- Other duties as assigned
- J.D. from an accredited law school
- 2-4 years of civil litigation experience
- Bar admission in at least one state or the District of Columbia. Additional consideration given to candidates with experience in landlord tenant law
- Ability to identify, analyze and explain to members new developments in landlord tenant law
- Strong contract drafting skills
- Ability to interact with people at varying levels of organizations, understand their needs, identify project champions and present workable solutions.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to prioritize competing deadlines, take direction from more than one manager
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interest in significant client interaction;
- Ability to breakdown complex and technical information to ensure people from all educational levels are able to comprehend
- Strong written and critical thinking skills that lead to comprehensive and persuasive writings
- Ability to work independently as well as within a team
- Up to 10% travel
