senior transactional real estate attorney

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Job Classification: SR. ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY II or SR. ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY III

Section: REAL ESTATE

Location: 900 BAGBY, HOUSTON, TX

Workdays & Hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM* *Subject to Change

LEGAL DEPARTMENT

The Office of the City Attorney for the City of Houston (the "OCA") provides municipal legal services to the City, its elected and appointed officials, and its employees while adhering to the following guiding principles:

• Quality & Service – Achieving high customer satisfaction as judged by our clients.
• Partnership & Teamwork – Working cooperatively internally and with our clients to achieve the City's goals. Integrity & Candor – Placing honesty and ethical behavior first.
• Dignity & Diversity – Promoting each person's value.
• Innovation & Imagination – Seeking novel and creative approaches to achieving the City's objectives

Composed of approximately 100 of Houston's finest attorneys working in 10 legal practice sections, the OCA handles personal injury, commercial and civil rights litigation, major commercial and real estate transactions, and a diverse array of human resources, labor and employment matters, while also counseling the municipal corporation on economic development, constitutional, election matters, ethics and quality of life matters, and preparing City ordinances governing Houston and its citizens.

Every member of the OCA must be committed to "Service Through Law."

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The City of Houston seeks applicants for a Senior Assistant City Attorney II or Senior Assistant City Attorney III position in the Real Estate Section of the Legal Department. The applicant should be an experienced practitioner in commercial real estate and have at least six years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating transactions relating to the acquisition, sale, development, use or maintenance of City real property.
• Reviewing tax increment reinvestment zone documents including project plans, annexations, and budgets.
• Drafting various tax abatement agreements and ordinances.
• Researching, analyzing and drafting real property documents including deeds, easements, leases, licenses, assignments, and development agreements.
• Advising client departments on the risks associated with various real property agreements and conveyances, including advising as to the applicability of reverter clauses, hearings required under Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, and the ability of a municipality to agree to certain terms and conditions when acquiring and selling public property.
• Counseling the City's departments and elected officials about state statutes and city ordinances and drafting or revising ordinances affecting real property.
• Providing legal advice to city officials and city boards.
• Reviewing and analyzing various legislative bills during the legislative session.
• Special projects assigned by management.
• Managing outside counsel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment.

EDUCATION:

Requires a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law. Requires basic computer skills and working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.

EXPERIENCE:

For Senior Assistant City Attorney II: Minimum of 13 years of experience practicing law and must be an active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar and eligible for admission to Federal court. License to practice law in Texas must be kept current as a condition of employment.

For Senior Assistant City Attorney III: Minimum of 18 years of experience practicing law and must be an active member in good standing of the Texas State Bar and eligible for admission to Federal court. License to practice law in Texas must be kept current as a condition of employment.

LICENSE:

Must be a member of the Texas State Bar on or about the first day of employment. If selected for this position, official proof of a J.D. degree and membership in the Texas State Bar is required and a condition of employment.

Preference will be given to applicants with:

• At least six years of experience in commercial real estate.
• Experience working with Texas real property statutes and municipal or public law.
• Experience working with real estate developers and commercial lenders.
• General knowledge of tax increment reinvestment zones.
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial real estate development agreements involving three or more parties.
• Experience providing legal advice to city officials regarding public development agreements and contracts.
• Experience reviewing title reports and general title issues such as reverter clauses, liens, and encumbrances.
• Must be willing to work extended hours as needed to accommodate workload demands.
• Proficiency with the Office 365 suite of programs, including Word, OneDrive, SharePoint, Outlook, Excel, Westlaw Edge, and the use of technology in the practice of law.
• Superior communication skills.
• Above average academic and professional achievement.

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6. **

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED: None

All applicants will be expected to provide a writing sample and transcripts.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION: No

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION:

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade: Varies

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during posting opening and closing dates shown. Applications must be submitted online at: To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: or call

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information.

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EOE - Equal Opportunity Employment

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

Employer

City of Houston

Address

901 Bagby St

Houston, Texas, 77002

Website