Associate Counsel Fellow

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.

• Identifies and resolves legal issues; assists in the development of legal strategies and solutions;
• Regularly meets with internal clients and management to present findings, explain the significance of conclusions, justify recommendations and answer legal questions; follows up as appropriate;
• Drafts agreements, closing documents, government contracts, memorandums of understanding, requests for proposals, and invitations for bids and responses to bid protests;
• Attends meetings, works with clients on transactions, participates in deal negotiations and ensures the completion of post-closing tasks; assist attorneys on various real estate, corporate and transactional matters;
• Assists senior attorneys in affirmative and defensive litigation matters before various courts, including, D.C. Superior Court and U.S. District Court, Small Claims Court, other District tribunals, the Contract Appeals Board and the D.C. Court of Appeals.  Researches relative statutory provisions and legislative history, applicable regulations, and relevant court precedent on the points of law;
• Represents agency in Office of Fair Hearing grievance process and appeals of grievances;
•  Drafts advisory memorandums, final decisions, settlement agreements, motions, pleadings, position statements, and participates in discovery; reviews and prepares responses to Freedom of Information Act Requests and appeals;
• Drafts regulations and other administrative matters;
• Performs special legal tasks to include conducting legal research; examining legal documents; drafting legal opinions, discovery, memos, pleadings, motions, etc.; and conducting investigations of limited scope to obtain facts and present recommendations for review of the Supervising Attorney;
• Participates in and/or supervises paralegals in the production of documents in response to discovery requests, record requests, subpoenas, Giglio requests and authorizations;
• Analyzes and resolves routine and complex legal issues, keeping the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and Supervising Attorney informed of the disposition of the matter;
• Prepares monthly/bi-weekly/weekly reports and correspondence as required to keep General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel informed and advised of all legal work being performed; enters and tracks time as required;
• Files legal documents and maintains all matter related documents and files as required by office protocol;
• Communicates clearly and on a timely basis on legal matters;
• 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

• Ability to obtain knowledge and understanding of the application of District of Columbia, HUD, and other federal laws, codes, regulations, and rules affecting public and assisted housing management programs.
• Ability to research, apply and interpret policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational matters, requirements and activities of DCHA.
• Ability to conduct legal research, engage in sound legal analysis, and present the results in a clear, precise and persuasive manner, both in writing and orally.
• Legal analysis, argument, and oral advocacy skills.

Education and/or Experience

Jurist Doctorate (J.D.) required; with admittance to the DC Bar preferred and experience stipulated by the General Counsel which meets the minimum qualifications requirement may be substituted. This position is ideal for

first through third year attorneys.

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 employme