The mission of the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH) is to make Boston a more equitable and inclusive city where all residents can thrive. MOH oversees programs that create and preserve affordable housing, support homeowners and renters, provide housing and services to homeless individuals and families, and develop city-owned property. MOH seeks to carry out its mission through a lens of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion and addressing the effects of systemic racism in our city.

Under the direct supervision of the MOH Director of Administration and Finance and the Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston or designee, the Director of Legal Services is responsible for the performance and oversight of all legal research, analysis, guidance, and support for the Department.

• Manage an Attorney (Assistant Corporation Counsel) and Paralegal, and direct the work of outside counsel as needed.
• Provide general legal advice and representation to the Chief of Housing and the management and staff of the Department’s divisions.
• Advise MOH leadership on implementing and drafting new programs, policies, procedures, or methods of performing departmental work and responding to changing legal, technological, or practical conditions and departmental needs.
• Practice in the areas of real estate law, the acquisition and disposition of real property, housing, and community development, eminent domain, conflicts of interest, loan and grant documentation and closings, due diligence, and public procurement.
• Provide advice on various topics concerning compliance with program and funding requirements and applicable City, State, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Assist with enforcement of MOH agreements with vendors, grantees, developers, homeowners, and homebuyers.
• Represent the Department in litigation in both state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies.
• Participate in developing strategies for motions, trials, and settlements of cases.
• Draft all necessary conveyance documents and represent the Department in the disposition of tax-foreclosed, surplus, and Real Estate Owned (“REO”) properties.
• Provide counsel to the Department on all questions arising under public procurement laws, including G.L. c. 30B, G.L. c. 149, and G.L. c. 30, § 39M.
• Advise the Department on any and all legal issues related to the management of its property portfolio.
• Review as to legal form and assist in the drafting of all license agreements and leases.
• Review as to legal form and assist in the drafting of all Requests for Proposals and Invitations for Bids, Contracts, and Grant Agreements.
• Assist with human resources and labor relations issues.
• Perform other related duties as required by the Department.

• Juris Doctorate and Admission to the Massachusetts Bar required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of directly relevant legal experience is required, with at least three (3) years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Ability to organize, manage, and supervise litigation matters.
• Demonstrated familiarity with Massachusetts public procurement statutes and applicable City Charter requirements preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and familiarity with municipal conveyancing and real estate law and transactions preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in housing and community development financing transactions preferred.
• Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Appropriate educational substitutions may be made.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/NU-28
Hours Per Week: 35

Please refer to the Salary Information section on the Boston Career Center site for more information on compensation. For each Salary Plan, salaries are listed by Grade and Step.

"Please note that the Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) employees and their immediate family members (i.e., employee's parent, siblings, children, or spouse) are prohibited from buying or leasing City Involved Housing, with the exception of applicants living in City Involved Housing at the time of hire at MOH. Please refer to the Policy on Employee Participation in MOH-Administered Programs."