Associate Counsel

Summary                                                  

This position supports the General Counsel, NHA’s Legal Department, Board of Commissioners and all Authority operating departments by performing legal research and preparing memorandums, reports and correspondence to be used in furtherance of day-to-day operations, judicial proceedings and transactional matters; drafts resolutions, contracts and other legal documents; performs related work, as necessary.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position.  This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required.  Other duties may be assigned.

 

Supports the legal needs of all Authority operating departments.

Assist the general counsel in litigation management and handling administrative matters.

Oversee discovery processes and coordinate document production. Pursues discovery matters and related document production.

Conducts legal research and provide recommendations on a range of issues pertaining to authority operations and compliance.

Manages evidence and prepares trial exhibits as directed.

Identify, coordinate, and interview witnesses and other relevant parties under the guidance of the legal team for case development.

Draft legal memoranda, documents, and correspondence concerning legal matters, cases, and judicial procedures.

Attends proceedings before courts and agencies to assist legal staff as directed.

Assists in the liaison activities with government agencies and the legal staff.

Organize, maintain, and manage case files

Assists in the instruction and guidance of clerical support personnel directly related to the legal functions.

Perform other related duties and provide legal advice to the Newark Housing Authority and its internal departments as needed.

Assist in preparation and review of legal documents, contracts, resolutions, and agreements.

Represent the NHA in meetings, hearings, and negotiations as needed.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies.

 

Commitment:  Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and work hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and bring issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition. 

 

Effective Communication:  Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys necessary information clearly and effectively, orally or in writing.  Demonstrates attention to and conveys understanding of the comments and questions of others; listens effectively. 

 

Responsiveness and Accountability:  Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; is a team player but can work independently with little supervision.

 

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Education and/or Experience

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited college. Must be an attorney in good standing, bar certified in the State of New Jersey, and have at least two (2) years of experience in the practice of law in a public or private agency; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience in public housing, landlord tenant, real estate law, redevelopment, public contracts, personal injury, labor and employment, and/or municipal law is strongly preferred.

Strong analytical and communications skills.

Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to work within the legal system, including administrative and court procedures.

Demonstrated knowledge of the judicial process, criminal statutes, rules of evidence, precedent court decisions, legal aspects of investigations, investigative techniques, interviewing techniques and examination of evidentiary documents or materials.

Demonstrated knowledge and effective application of Federal, State and Local regulations, administrative rules and policies and procedures relative to the role.

Skill in the application of legal research methods and techniques of applicable case law and precedents, data collection and analysis in order to identify critical elements and issues and ability to analyze and make recommendations.

Skill in the preparation of contracts, briefs, motions, affidavits and other legal documents.

Experience in the analysis   of   judicial decisions, legal opinions, rulings, memoranda and other legal material, as well as the preparation of summaries of the points of law involved.