Attorney: Property Management & Real Estate

The Attorney is a part-time, non-exempt position that serves as the primary internal legal resource for property management operations, landlord-tenant matters, affordable housing matters requiring legal review, and real estate and property-related contracts.

The position reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Property Management and works closely with Property Management, Compliance and Real Estate/Development leadership to provide practical and timely legal support for the organization's residential portfolio.

The attorney's primary responsibilities include handling unlawful detainer and eviction matters, reviewing lease violations and legally significant resident notices, advising on landlord-tenant matters, reviewing reasonable accommodation and modification requests, providing Fair Housing guidance, and assisting with complex resident and property management matters.

The position also provides legal review of real estate and property-related contracts, including property management agreements, leases, vendor and service agreements, real estate contracts, easements, licenses, amendments, and other agreements affecting the management, operation, acquisition, development, or disposition of real property.

The position is intended to increase internal legal capacity, improve consistency and response times, and reduce reliance on outside counsel for routine property management, landlord-tenant, Fair Housing, reasonable accommodation/modification, and real estate contract matters.

Communication--Possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to translate legal requirements into practical operational guidance for Property Management, Compliance, Development, Asset Management, and leadership.

Legal Judgment & Reasoning--Demonstrates strong legal research, analytical, negotiation, drafting, and problem-solving skills and the ability to identify legal and contractual risks efficiently.

Computer Skills--Proficient in Microsoft Office, electronic court filing systems, legal research platforms, document management systems, and related technology. Familiarity with Yardi Voyager or similar property management software is preferred.

Driving--Driving may be required to attend court hearings, property visits, meetings, mediations, and other organizational business.

Education--Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school required.

Licensure--Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California and authorization to practice law in California is required.

Experience--A minimum of five years of legal experience is preferred, with significant experience in California landlord-tenant law, residential property management, real estate transactions, contracts, Fair Housing, affordable housing, or related areas.

Property Management Experience--Experience advising residential landlords, property owners, affordable housing providers, nonprofit housing organizations, property management companies, or similar organizations is strongly preferred.

Landlord-Tenant Experience--Demonstrated experience handling unlawful detainers, notices, lease enforcement, settlement negotiations, resident disputes, and California landlord-tenant litigation is strongly preferred.

Real Estate & Contract Experience--Demonstrated experience reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and interpreting real estate and property-related contracts is strongly preferred.

Fair Housing Experience--Knowledge of federal and California Fair Housing requirements, Section 504, ADA requirements applicable to housing providers, reasonable accommodations/modifications, VAWA, and related protections is strongly preferred.

Affordable Housing Experience--Experience with affordable housing, supportive housing, LIHTC, HUD, Section 8, PBV, HOME, Housing First, or other regulated housing programs is preferred.

VI. Work Schedule & Timekeeping

This is a part-time, non-exempt position scheduled for 20 hours per week.

The employee is required to accurately record all hours worked in accordance with organizational policies and applicable wage-and-hour requirements.

The work schedule will generally be established in coordination with the Senior Vice President of Property Management & Compliance based on operational needs, court schedules, legal deadlines, and the attorney's assigned workload.

Because the position is non-exempt, any work performed beyond the employee's established schedule must be properly recorded. Overtime or additional hours should be approved in advance in accordance with organizational policy, except where immediate work is necessary to address an urgent legal obligation or court deadline.

The position may require flexibility to attend court appearances, mediations, agency proceedings, property meetings, or other time-sensitive legal matters.

VII. Organizational Expectations

The Attorney is expected to operate as a practical legal partner to the Senior Vice President of Property Management & Compliance and the organization's Property Management and Compliance teams.

Given the part-time nature of the position, legal work should be prioritized based on risk, court and regulatory deadlines, property management needs, and potential organizational exposure.

The attorney should focus internal resources on recurring landlord-tenant, eviction, Fair Housing, reasonable accommodation/modification, contract review, and property management matters while identifying cases that are more appropriately referred to specialized outside counsel.

The attorney is expected to become familiar with the organization's properties, leases, regulatory structures, contracts, property management practices, and recurring operational challenges so that legal guidance is practical and responsive to the organization's needs.

Nothing within this position shall limit the attorney's independent professional judgment or ethical obligations under the California Rules of Professional Conduct.

VIII. Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the staff member is regularly required to sit, use a computer, review contracts and legal documents, communicate verbally and in writing, attend meetings, and participate in court or administrative proceedings.

The staff member may occasionally be required to stand, walk, visit properties, attend inspections, appear in court, attend mediations, or participate in meetings at various organizational locations.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and functions.

IX. Work Environment

This position may involve a moderate to high-stress work environment due to court deadlines, eviction matters, resident disputes, contract negotiations, regulatory matters, and other time-sensitive property management issues.

The work environment may include frequent interruptions, competing priorities, confidential matters, and situations requiring timely legal analysis and decision-making.

X. Professional & Ethical Requirements

The Attorney must maintain active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California, satisfy applicable continuing legal education requirements, comply with the California Rules of Professional Conduct, maintain attorney-client privilege and confidentiality, identify potential conflicts of interest, exercise independent professional judgment, and maintain accurate legal files and calendaring systems.