Staff Attorney

STAFF ATTORNEY Regional Housing Legal Services (RHLS) seeks a lawyer committed to addressing the affordable housing crisis, supporting communities, and solving people’s need for safe, healthy, and affordable homes. The Staff Attorney will provide transactional legal services for affordable housing developments, engage with communities on housing needs and development, and advance public policies that address the crisis. Our Mission We work with communities to create and protect safe, affordable homes, especially for low‑income populations. We do this by providing legal services to community-based organizations, advocating for policy changes, and fostering partnerships to promote housing justice. Who We Are RHLS is a non‑profit law firm focused on affordable, sustainable housing and community development in Pennsylvania and Delaware. We offer innovative project and policy solutions that create sustainable communities with decent, safe, and affordable housing for low‑income households. RHLS is part of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) and provides free or low‑cost services to nonprofit and community‑based organizations. Position Summary Our legal staff represents nonprofit organizations and affiliate entities engaged in affordable housing and community and economic development. The core work involves sophisticated real estate development transactional matters. Examples include: Entity structuring & nonprofit governance – advising on entity selection, mergers, IRS compliance, and joint‑venture formation. Site acquisition – due diligence, title analysis, and drafting or reviewing acquisition agreements. Planning and pre‑development of affordable housing developments funded by LIHTC or other sources. Formation and operations of tenant cooperatives and community land trusts. Navigating complex regulatory & funding structures – leveraging LIHTC, HUD programs, tax exemptions, and other subsidies. Other development pillars – community economic inclusion, mixed‑use integration, manufactured home park conversions, single‑room occupancy, and supportive housing models. Core Responsibilities Advise and counsel clients developing affordable housing. Draft, prepare, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, loan documents, and other agreements to protect client interests. Negotiate with lenders, architects, contractors, government entities, and other parties and counsel to advance client interests. Conduct legal and program‑related research. Assist in preparing documents to challenge laws, regulations, policies, or practices detrimental to client interests. Supervise paralegals and/or law students on client matters. Become familiar with RHLS directives and relevant funding sources. Qualifications Graduation with a B.S. or B.A. from an accredited college or university, graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school, and admission to the practice of law in Pennsylvania or eligibility within six months of hire. Delaware bar admission or eligibility is a plus. Prior experience in transactional real estate development and finance or substantive experience in partnership law, HUD and housing finance agency programs, nonprofit corporation law, or tax law. Prior affordable housing or legal aid/low‑income advocacy experience in housing law or advocacy is highly desirable. Local and state travel may be required; a valid driver’s license or alternate transportation access is desirable. Demonstrated commitment to achieving racial and economic justice. Salary Range $72,000 - $150,000 depending on experience: up to three years’ experience $72,000 - $85,000; 4‑7 years $90,000 - $120,000; 8+ years $120,000 - $150,000. #J-18808-Ljbffr