Attorney - In-House Legal Counsel - Property Management / Real Estate

In-House Legal Counsel - Property Management / Real Estate

Based in the Company’s corporate office in Gaithersburg, MD, the General Counsel will provide legal counsel on residential property management operations, general corporate law, risk management, procurement, and related legal issues to the various departments and entities within and affiliated with Pratum Companies, including our parent company and all related and affiliated entities.  The effective candidate will draw from broad legal experience gained in an established firm or in-house role specializing in property management, multi-family real estate, and/or affordable housing operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Serve as the in-house legal expert and key legal representative in serving the associated needs of multiple corporate entities and organizations.
• Draft or review and negotiate a variety of contracts to facilitate property management operations including management agreements, operating agreements, services contracts, vendor contracts, and other transactional instruments in the course of business.
• Assist with due diligence and documentation in onboarding and offboarding multifamily properties into and out of property management operations.
• Develop and maintain legal and compliance tools and resources for on-site operations teams.
• Oversee risk management functions and interface with insurance brokers, carriers, and attorneys to manage coverage issues and handle claims.
• Provide involvement and oversight with subcontractor and vendor procurement, including review of vendor contracts.
• Provide oversight and guidance regarding corporate legal matters including general corporate governance and employment law.
• Engage and supervise outside counsel for litigation, specialty legal work, and administrative claims.
• Monitor legislative and administrative developments impacting the industry and property management operations.
• May be assigned executive leadership oversight for one or more corporate departments.
• Other duties, projects and responsibilities as assigned.

• A JD degree and admission to practice in one or more of Maryland, DC and Virginia. Able to obtain admission to the Maryland Bar.

• Ideal candidate will have at least 5+ years of professional experience in real estate transactional law, particularly with landlord representation.  Extensive experience in the Washington, DC metro region (DC, MD & VA) is highly preferred.  Other related legal experience or exposure in the areas of duties and responsibilities will be considered.  Experience with affordable housing is a significant advantage.
• Previous experience in the transactional group of an established firm or in-house specializing in property management, multi-family real estate, affordable housing operations or other landlord/tenant experience preferred.
• Corporate legal experience highly desired.

• Drafting, editing, and negotiating legal documents.
• Complex project management skills, particularly as it pertains to managing due diligence for a variety of transactional and compliance matters.
• Team leadership and management capability to oversee internal project teams, outside counsel, and insurance matters.  
• Strong administrative, time-management, prioritization and organizational skills (managing multiple priorities, projects & tasks simultaneously).
• Superior communication skills and English fluency in verbal, written, editing and verbal presentation skills are an absolute necessity.
• Strong decision making and critical thinking capabilities.
• Outstanding customer-service orientation.
• Ability to expertly navigate, operate and understand all MS Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, etc.).
• Self-starter, independent contributor, and works well with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.