Associate Corporate Counsel - Houston, United States - Asset Living

Description

Job Description

Company Overview

Asset Living is a third-party management firm and a proven partner in fostering thriving communities nationwide. Founded in 1986, Asset Living has decades of experience delivering exceptional value to our partners. Since the beginning, our undeniable passion has driven our organic growth from a small property management firm to one of the most trusted allies in real estate. Asset Living's growing portfolio includes a multitude of properties across the country that span the multifamily, single-family home rentals, affordable housing, build-to-rent, active adult, and student housing divisions.

Asset Living is a fast-growing company made up of talented individuals from diverse backgrounds that differentiate us and help us drive innovation and results for our clients and communities across the US. At Asset Living, we wholeheartedly believe 'Together We Lead, Together We Succeed. We empower each other to lead by example, collaborate, and evolve – inspired by our belief that we can continually improve as individuals and as an organization. Together, we create an environment where every voice is heard, every idea is valued, and every individual experiences opportunities to grow as our company grows. When you join Asset Living, you become part of a dynamic team that thrives on unity, unique talents, and a universal culture of winning.

Recognized as one of the nation's Best and Brightest Places to Work and ranked in the NMHC top 50 professionals, join Asset Living because of its reputation as the most trusted partner in real estate, workplace culture, and growth opportunities. Asset Living is a member of The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and is recognized as an Accredited Management Organization (AMO). Together, we lead the way, and together, we achieve excellence in all that we do. Join a workplace where success is a collective journey and leadership is a shared responsibility.

Associate Corporate Counsel (Litigation)

The Associate Corporate Counsel (Litigation) will report to the General Counsel and assist in the oversight and management of the company's litigation. The Associate Corporate Counsel (Litigation) will exercise sound judgment and decision making, often with limited information and tight timeframes. This role will provide legal input to and support the company's compliance with all laws applicable to the company's business, and interface with and build relationships with company executives, employees, vendors, and clients.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Report directly to the General Counsel and assist with the reporting to the CEO and Board of Directors as necessary on all material legal matters affecting the company.
• Provide prompt commercial and practical legal advice to company's various business lines to facilitate, improve and strengthen operational decision-making through integration of legal analysis as part of overall business processes.
• Assist with the management of the company's litigation, adversarial proceedings, administrative proceedings, and government investigations.
• Collaborate with executives and employees on current and anticipated regulatory and compliance protocols at state and federal levels.
• Support human resources department on employee matters (e.g., employee agreements, consulting agreements, employee benefits, and other employment issues) as needed. Review and draft contracts, policies, and employee handbook as needed.
• Negotiate company's engagement agreements with outside counsel.
• Coordinate with company's clients to enforce the company's agreements.
• Review outside counsel invoices to enforce company's billing guidelines.
• Formulate legal strategy with outside counsel and make recommendations to the company.
• Assist with the maintenance of case files and spreadsheet summaries for litigation matters.
• Review discovery, motion practice, dispute resolution procedures, and trial filings as necessary.
• Draft and circulate legal holds as necessary.
• Communicate with company employees (current and prior) with knowledge of relevant information as necessary throughout the duration of litigation matters.
• Coordinate with outside counsel for company clients in support of clients' ongoing litigation.
• Prepare company employees for depositions and attend depositions as necessary.
• Prepare company employees for appearance in small claims matters as necessary.
• Locate, arrange preservation, and produce documents responsive to discovery requests.
• Coordinate with company IT and support team regarding electronic discovery.
• Negotiate company settlement and release agreements.
• Assist with the review and response to subpoenas and non-party discovery.
• Advise company employees and company clients on day to day legal and operational issues (collections, resident disputes, vendor disputes, client disputes, leasing, property litigation, evictions, on-site incidents, due diligence, compliance, insurance, performance rights organizations, etc.).
• Review and respond to legal correspondence received by company.
• Investigate and respond to significant lease issues/challenges when made.
• Collaborate with company management teams to draft and review training materials.

Education & Experience

• JD degree from ABA accredited law school.
• Member in good standing in at least one State Bar. Candidates awaiting bar results will be considered.
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, resourceful, and hardworking. Feels a sense of urgency and embraces success. Possesses the highest of ethical standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a direct, candid and concise communication style.
• Enjoys collaborating with colleagues to arrive at the best solutions for the company.
• Ability to drive projects, direct others, and advise executives on the implementation of sound legal, regulatory, and corporate compliance solutions.
• Develops credibility to gain the confidence of professionals inside and outside the company.
• Experience in the real estate and/or property management industries is not required but preferred.
• Litigation expertise and prior experience representing clients in the practice areas of real estate, collections, contract disputes, insurance, premises liability, fair housing, construction, intellectual property, and employment is preferred.

This job description should not be considered all-inclusive. It is merely a guide of expected duties. The employee understands that the job description is neither complete nor permanent and may be modified at any time. At the request of their supervisor, an employee may be asked to perform additional duties or take on additional responsibilities without notice.

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