Senior Counsel

RIHousing – Senior Counsel

Salary Range:  $111,302.40-161,061.12

RIHousing is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. 

What it’s all about: As a part of RIHousing’s Legal team, the Senior Counsel is responsible for providing substantive legal advice and services to RIHousing division staff on a broad range of issues affecting the agency, with a particular focus on providing legal support for the agency’s mortgage loan origination, mortgage loan purchasing, servicing, sub servicing lines of business, homeowner counseling and mediation services. 

What you’ll do on a daily basis: 

• Provide legal advice, interpretation, and counsel to RIHousing division staff concerning mortgage loan origination, loan servicing and subservicing, homeowner counseling, and mediation programs, real estate transactions, title, post-closing issues, bankruptcy, foreclosure, tax, insurance, litigation, statutory and regulatory compliance (without limitation, regulations and guidance promulgated by CFPB), as well as general corporate and governance matters.
• Exercising a high degree of professional discretion, provide legal support for two (2) or more of the four (4) major business units of RIHousing, namely the Homeownership Division and Division of Loan Servicing, and one (1) or more of the support units of RIHousing (e.g., information technology, building facilities), as assigned by the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel.
• Represent RIHousing and/or manage outside legal counsel in various litigation, administrative, and adversarial proceedings as assigned by General Counsel.
• Responsible for attending Board of Commissioner meetings or committees of the Board to respond to procedural and legal issues and drafting, reviewing, and/or presenting corporate resolutions for consideration by the Board of Commissioners or committees of the Board.
• Responsible for independently drafting and/or reviewing form loan documents, loan modifications, purchase and sale agreements, deeds, customer correspondence, staff policies and handbooks, and other agreements, forms, policies, and documents related to RIHousing programs, and ensuring that all documents comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Negotiate, prepare, review, approve, interpret, and file contracts, real estate and loan documents, financing statements, and other legal instruments using independent judgment.
• Perform document review for financial, real estate, commercial transactions, and the procurement and purchasing process to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Represent the corporation in mediations, hearings, audits, meetings, or fact-finding discussions with representatives of business partners and/or other government agencies.
• Perform other duties and special projects as may be assigned by the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel.

What you’ll need to succeed:

• Minimum five (5) years of experience as an attorney, either in a law firm, in-house or government entity preferred, with consideration given for exceptional academic, internship, or clerkship performance or other relevant professional qualifications. 
• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school; admission to the Rhode Island Bar required. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of general legal principles and transactions. 
• Ability to analyze, research, and respond to complex issues in a multi-participant environment; experience representing mortgage loan originators and/or services; knowledge of foreclosure counseling and mediation programs; experience conducting real estate transactions, researching and resolving title and post-closing issues; expertise and experience in bankruptcy, foreclosure, tax, insurance, litigation, CFPB compliance, and general corporate law matters; work product must reflect mastery of the subject matter and professional-level writing abilities; strength in a broad set of legal skills such as contract drafting, client counseling, and group presentations. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong computer and organizational skills, and attention to detail. 
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with colleagues and supervisory staff at all levels. 
• Excellent negotiation skills and ability to foster consensus among individuals with differing opinions and perspectives.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, establish priorities, and work successfully in a fast-paced environment.

Why RIHousing: 

• Mission-Driven Organization 
• Dedicated Workforce 
• Competitive salary 
• Parking Stipend 
• Medical/Dental/Visi Times New Roman on/Life Insurance 
• Paid Time Off  
• Retirement Options 
• Flexible Work Hours 
• If Position Eligible, Future Hybrid Work May Be Available 
• Education Reimbursement 
• Onsite Fitness Classes 
• Volunteer Days 
• Winner of “Best Places to Work” 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 
• Worksite Health Award 2013-2021 

RIHousing strives to ensure that all people who live or work in Rhode Island can afford a healthy, attractive home that meets their needs.  A good home provides the foundation upon which individuals and families thrive, children learn and grow, and communities prosper. 

To achieve our mission, we: 

• Offer fair, affordable, and innovative lending programs. 
• Provide housing-related education to consumers and others. 
• Promote and finance sensible development that builds healthy, vibrant communities. 
• Provide housing grants and subsidies to Rhode Islanders with the greatest need. 
• Team up with partners to improve everything we do. 

RIHousing uses its resources to provide low-interest loans, grants, education, and assistance to help Rhode Islanders find, rent, buy, build, and keep a good home. Created by the General Assembly in 1973, RIHousing is a privately funded public-purpose corporation. RIHousing requires its employees to be highly motivated and knowledgeable, have a sound understanding of the changing needs of Rhode Island's housing market, be willing to work within and toward a smoothly integrated operation, demonstrate a commitment to serve the people of Rhode Island, especially those with low and moderate incomes in need of safe and affordable homes, and possess a high level of integrity and deep respect for all Rhode Islanders, including customers, partners, and fellow employees.