Law Clerk

Detroit Housing Commission•Detroit, MI

8d•$25 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Law Clerk at the Detroit Housing Commission will support the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). This position is ideal for a current second-year law school student interested in practicing as in-house counsel, public housing, and landlord/tenant law, labor and employment law, real estate development, FOIAs, corporate governance, litigation, insurance, and contract law. The OGC Law Clerk conducts research and assists attorneys on a wide variety of matters, including drafting and editing memoranda, state and federal court pleadings, assisting with eviction and eviction diversion matters in landlord/tenant court (36th District Court), working on Freedom of Information Act requests, assisting with administrative matters (EEOC, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, Michigan Employment Relations Commission), attending and observing DHC Board meetings, and preparing summaries for executive leadership.

Requirements

Must have completed the first year of law school with a passing grade in law school courses.
Must be a current law school student in an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
Must have or be able to acquire a valid state driver’s license.
Must pass federal, state, and local criminal investigation clearances, and pass a drug screening test administered by the Commission or its designated provider.
Must be insurable under the agency’s insurance policy.
Knowledge of common law, city, state, and federal laws, rules of evidence, and judicial procedures
Knowledge of legal terminology, the formats of a variety of legal documents, legal processes and procedures, and court/hearing rules, records, procedures and protocol
Knowledge of Housing & Urban Development Public Housing regulations and policies pertinent to the department
Knowledge of HUD programs, requirements, and policies/procedures
Knowledge of DHC and departmental policies, procedures, and goals
Knowledge of standard office procedures, filing, and standard office equipment, including computer, fax, copier, telephone system
Knowledge of basic office practices, procedures, and equipment
Knowledge of ADA, FLSA, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, TITLE VII, EEO, Workers' Compensation, FCRA
Knowledge of labor and employment law
Knowledge of traditional and electronic legal research methods
Knowledge of contract law
Knowledge of consumer bankruptcy law
Knowledge of real estate and development law
Basic knowledge of privacy laws and federal and state
Knowledge of freedom of information laws
Maintain confidentiality
Act independently
Attend to details
Analyze situations
Communicate verbally
Communicate in writing
Concentrate
Empathize
Identify problems
Initiate
Manage pressure
Motivate
Organize
Problem solve
Think creatively
Desire to serve internal clients and clients’ customers.
Treat client and client's customers with respect and dignity.
The ability to work well with diverse populations and stakeholders
A willingness to learn new substantive areas to meet DHC’s needs
Build consensus and bridge differences to accomplish organizational goals
Communicate effectively orally or in writing with relevant stakeholders, internal and external, from a variety of backgrounds
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders to accomplish organizational goals
Exercise sound judgment in analyzing situations and identifying potential problems within the scope of responsibility
Maintain confidentiality
Implement decisions in accordance with established requirements
Operate a computer to perform various work-related tasks
Provide high-level customer service both internally and externally
Read and understand department-specific documentation, policies, and procedures
Use sound judgment when implementing decisions
Work under pressure of deadlines
Use technology to store, retrieve, and compile data, prepare reports, and correspondence
Analyze and interpret data and reports, formulate recommendations, and make effective decisions
Anticipate potential issues to develop preventative actions
Demonstrate and writing skills, exhibiting fluency of ideas and originality
Establish priorities and deadlines to ensure efficiency
Exercise tact, discretion, and diplomacy
Interact with public and private agencies and residents to accomplish organizational goals
Manage multiple priorities and demands within established requirements
Operate standard office equipment
Organize work to maximize productivity
Plan, organize, and complete special projects to meet organizational goals
Plan, organize, coordinate, and follow through on work projects to ensure efficiency
Plan, organize, implement, evaluate, and modify systems or processes
Prepare and present ideas and information in formal and informal settings
Present ideas and information in a clear and concise manner

Responsibilities

Conduct legal research on federal, state, and local housing laws, administrative regulations, and compliance requirements.
Draft memoranda, legal opinions, and summaries on various legal issues affecting the housing authority.
Assist in reviewing and drafting contracts, leases, and procurement agreements.
Conduct contract analysis to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Analyze policies and procedures related to fair housing, landlord-tenant law, and public housing regulations.
Support compliance monitoring efforts to ensure adherence to HUD regulations and other governing authorities.
Assist in the preparation of pleadings, discovery responses, and other legal documents for litigation involving the housing authority.
Attend and observe hearings, depositions, and administrative proceedings as permitted.
Assist in reviewing and responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and other public records inquiries.
Research and assist in resolving landlord-tenant disputes, eviction proceedings, and grievance hearings.
Review reasonable accommodation and fair housing claims under the ADA and Fair Housing Act.
Assist in preparing resolutions, meeting minutes, and legal reports for board meetings.
Review and summarize legal and policy updates relevant to the housing authority’s governance.
Work with various departments, including Compliance, Procurement, and Resident Services, on legal matters.
Provide legal support on special projects or policy initiatives as needed.
Assist in developing legal training materials for staff and tenants on housing rights and responsibilities.
Participate in outreach programs related to housing law and tenant advocacy.
Support the Office of the General Counsel in additional tasks needed to further the mission of the housing authority.
All other duties as assigned.