General Counsel

Definition: The General Counsel is a senior level position that serves as the chief legal advisor to the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), including but not limited to its executive staff, senior management, and HACLA’s Board of Commissioners. The General Counsel oversees all legal services, manages the internal legal team, and oversees outside counsel to support HACLA’s operational, regulatory, and strategic objectives. The General Counsel reports directly to the Chief Administrative Officer and provides strategic legal counsel to the President & CEO, the Board of Commissioners, executive leadership, and senior management. The General Counsel also acts as lead counsel for litigation, procurement services, all affiliated entities and instrumentalities that own and manage various HACLA assets, including but not limited to HACLA’s fundraising and nonprofit program, Build Hope Inc., and LA LOMOD, a separate non-profit contracted with HUD to oversee Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) contracts across Southern California. The role serves as a key member of the President & CEO’s senior management team and as a key advisor on organizational governance, policy development and interpretation, and enterprise risk management.

Examples of Essential Functions

• Serves as the chief legal counsel and provides legal advice and strategic guidance to the Board of Commissioners, executive leadership, and senior management on all legal matters involving HACLA’s business operations, business activities, business transactions, contract administration, programs, governance, and the legal implications of all proposed or enacted policies and procedures.
• Participates in the development of agency policies and procedures as well as interpretation, guidance, and enforcement of applicable federal, state or local laws, policies, or regulations that may impact HACLA and its affiliate nonprofits and instrumentalities.
• Attends the Board of Commissioners’ meetings and advises on legal and procedural matters; reviews and approves staff reports, proposed resolutions, and related documents presented to the Board of Commissioners.
• Oversees corporate governance matters, including but not limited to maintaining, updating, and ensuring compliance with corporate formation documents and other related filings, and compliance with the Brown Act and other public-agency regulations.
• Establishes and oversees systems and processes to identify, investigate, address, and ensure compliance and continuous improvement of policies, procedures, and practices.
• Identifies potential and actual conflicts of interest under state and federal laws, rules, regulations and programs, and manages resolution processes, using external counsel when appropriate.
• Identifies legal risks and advises executives and management on exposure to identified risks, mitigation strategies, and compliance requirements.
• Evaluates litigation, regulatory actions, and other administrative matters affecting HACLA; and develops legal strategies and recommends settlements as warranted.
• Advises on legislation that may affect HACLA and assists with the preparation of legislative proposals, as requested.
• Negotiates complex contracts, transactions, agreements, and settlements consistent with HACLA’s interests and professional obligations and responsibilities.
• Oversees legal services and provide support for administrative public-agency functions including public records requests, administrative hearings, and related legal matters.
• Develops and delivers training programs and activities to executives, managers, and staff on legal requirements, regulatory changes, and best practices.
• Directs, manages, and evaluates the litigation and transactional staff in the Legal Department; assigns matters as appropriate; and mentors and develops attorneys and support staff.
• Oversees and manages the selection, engagement, and performance of outside counsel in compliance with procurement requirements.
• Develops and manages the budget for internal legal operations and outside legal services.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or as needed.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

Knowledge of:

• Foundational legal principles, best practices, procedures, and regulatory obligations applicable to public-sector agencies, corporate and municipal entities.
• Methods, procedures, and practices used in the conduct of civil litigation.
• Methods and techniques for evaluating legal risks and liabilities.
• Provisions of federal, state, and local legislation, statutes, codes, procedures and court decisions related to public housing programs and operations.
• Municipal law; public agency law; litigation; real estate law; contract law; employment law; corporate and business law; and administrative law.
• General principles of business administration, public administration, public relations, and community relations.
• Principles of training, supervising, managing, and leading a legal team.

Ability to:

• Provide executive-level leadership on enterprise risk identification, assessment, and mitigation.
• Develop strategic plans, legal service frameworks, and operational goals.
• Manage risk, promote compliance, and contribute organizational effectiveness.
• Effectively communicate highly technical information concisely and in understandable terms in presentations, reports, recommendations, and legal analyses.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with industry representatives, officials of public and private organizations, internal stakeholders, and the public.
• Establishes framework for legal policies, procedures, practices, and service delivery models.

Skills in:

• Performing highly complex and significant legal work