ATTORNEY - TRANSACTIONAL REAL ESTATE

PN#19482 TRANSACTIONAL REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY
 
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The City of Houston Legal Department strives to provide the highest quality municipal legal services to the City, its elected and appointed officials, and its employees in the most efficient manner feasible through adherence 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 – Acting with a commitment to honesty and ethical behavior,
• Dignity & Diversity – Demonstrating esteem for the worth of each individual,
• Innovation & Imagination – Seeking novel and creative approaches to achieving the City's objectives.
 
Comprised of over 100 of Houston's finest attorneys across ten sections, the Legal Department has the pivotal role of providing litigation support, negotiating and drafting contracts, handling taxation matters, advising on personnel actions, dealing with the acquisition of sale of City property, overseeing City elections, drafting ordinances, advising on ethics and conflicts of interest, and dealing with neighborhood protection and quality of life issues. Every employee is committed to the Department's motto – "Service Through Law."
 
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The City of Houston Legal Department is seeking an experienced, efficient, and solutions-focused transactional real estate attorney with three to seven years of relevant real estate experience, to handle moderate to complex real estate transactions involving purchase and sale agreements, interlocal agreements, deeds, easement conveyances, and leases.
 
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Negotiating and documenting transactions relating to the acquisition, sale, use or maintenance of city property.
• Researching, analyzing and drafting real property documents including deeds, easements, leases, licenses, and assignments.
• Performing legal research and preparing formal and informal legal opinions regarding property ownership and other title issues.
• Counseling the city's departments and elected officials about city ordinances and drafting or revising ordinances affecting real property.
• Providing legal advice to city officials and city boards.
• Assisting the City Attorney and others with special projects such as drafting City Attorney Legal Opinions.
• Drafting, reviewing or revising city policies.

EDUCATIONAL: 
Requires a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an American Bar Association accredited college of law.

EXPERIENCE: 
Six years of experience in the practice of transactional real estate law.

LICENSE: 
Must be a member of the Texas State Bar. Must have a valid Driver's License and be in compliance with the City of Houston policy on driving (AP 2-2).

Preference will be given to applicants with:

• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent drafting skills.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Familiarity with Texas real property statutes.
• Familiarity with municipal or public law.
• Experience working with governmental entities.
• Familiarity with real property law.
• Must be willing to work extended hours as needed to accommodate work load demands.
• Proficiency with Word, Outlook, Excel and the use of technology in the practice.

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED:      Yes
All applicants will be expected to provide a writing sample, transcripts and letter(s) of recommendation.
 
SAFETY IMPACT POSITION:       Yes    
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 similar positions.
 
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: http://www.www.houstontx.gov

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or please call 832.393.6090.

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 provided. If you need special services or accommodations, call TTY 7-1-1.

Equal Employment Opportunity
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.