Sr. Litigation Counsel

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position.  This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required.  Other duties may be assigned.

Serves as Senior Litigation Counsel and provides advice and counsel to the General Counsel and support to other attorneys and support staff in litigation matters as follows:

• Provides both general and specific experience and advice to internal counsel and paralegal staff and outside counsels providing legal assistance on DCHA litigation matters. 
• Provides oral and written legal advice; prepares pleadings and motions for litigation, advising the General Counsel of all such matters; appears in court and prepares for trial and defense actions and drafts Opinions of Counsel for approval by the General Counsel; conducts and defends depositions; oversees subpoena and discovery productions and responses; analyzes complex problems; seeks General Counsel input in precedent-setting cases and keeps the General Counsel informed of the preparation of cases for court disposition as well as the proposed disposition of each matter or case;
• Conducts investigations and legal research of laws, legal opinions, policies, regulations, legal texts and legal issues, analyzing the factual and legal issues involved, explaining the application of legal principles and precedents to obtain evidentiary data and recommend an agency course of action, and justifying recommendations or conclusions;
• Renders legal advice and services with respect to questions, regulations, practices or other matters falling within the purview of public housing;
• Supervises junior attorneys, paralegals, and staff working on the same litigation matters; and

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Competencies

• Expert knowledge of housing programs, policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements and activities as they apply to DCHA
• Mastery in the application of District of Columbia, HUD, and other federal laws, codes, regulations, and rules affecting public housing and housing choice vouchers

• Experience drafting pleadings, motions, performing legal research and oral argument.
• Capacity to mentor, lead and train associate and assistant general counsels, and paralegal staff
• Broad business foundation and strong negotiating and analytical skills
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Capable networker

Education and/or Experience

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) required; and at least five (5) years of progressively responsible and relevant legal experience, which must include litigation experience; or other combination of education and experience which meet the minimum qualifications requirement may be substituted.  Experience in public housing and/or HCV matters as well as employment or labor law is preferred.

Must be a member of the District of Columbia Bar (ability to waive in to DC may be substituted for an exceptional candidate).

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) conducts pre-employment screening on specified positions, which may include but is not limited to a criminal background check, drug and alcohol testing, verification of academic credentials, licenses, and certifications, and/or verification of work history. 

This position has been designated by the department to require a drug and alcohol screening and background check.  Finalist(s) for this position will be subject to drug and alcohol testing and will be required to consent to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment.

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have strong computer skills (MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel).  Ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Senior Litigation Counsel works under general administrative direction; independently conducts investigations or negotiations, plans and approaches; independently drafts and argue motions; and develops and recommends completed decisions, reports, briefs and opinions, etc.

Completed work is presumed to be accurate with respect to legal citations, treat