Legal Advisor
Role Overview: The Legal Advisor at Brave is responsible for providing legal guidance to support the organization’s mission of housing homeless veterans. This position involves navigating the complex legal landscape associated with housing, veterans’ rights, and non-profit operations.
Key Responsibilities:
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Legal Compliance: Ensure that all activities, particularly those related to housing development and veteran services, comply with federal, state, and local laws. This includes housing regulations, non-profit governance, and veterans’ benefits laws.
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Contract Review and Negotiation: Review, draft, and negotiate contracts for property acquisitions, construction, partnerships, and services, ensuring they are in the best interest of Brave and its mission.
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Policy Development: Advise on the creation and amendment of organizational policies to protect Brave, its staff, and the veterans it serves, while promoting transparency and accountability.
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Litigation Management: Handle or oversee any legal disputes that arise, aiming for resolution that minimizes disruption to the organization’s work. This includes tenant disputes, property issues, or employment matters.
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Veteran Advocacy: Provide legal support or guidance for veterans, helping them navigate legal issues related to housing, benefits, employment, or personal rights.
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Risk Assessment: Identify legal risks associated with housing projects, veterans’ programs, or organizational activities, and advise on risk mitigation strategies.
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Training and Education: Conduct training sessions for staff on legal matters affecting their work, such as tenant rights, fair housing practices, and veterans’ legal protections.
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Board Support: Work closely with the board of directors on governance issues, ensuring all decisions are legally sound and in compliance with non-profit regulations.
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Regulatory Updates: Stay abreast of changes in laws, regulations, or judicial decisions that impact housing, veterans’ affairs, or non-profit sectors, and advise the organization accordingly.
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External Relations: Liaise with external legal counsel, government agencies, or advocacy groups when necessary to further Brave’s objectives or protect its interests.
Qualifications:
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Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to the bar.
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Experience in real estate law, housing law, veterans’ affairs, or non-profit law is highly advantageous.
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Familiarity with the legal challenges faced by veterans, particularly those related to housing and benefits.
Skills:
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Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
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Excellent communication and negotiation skills to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
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Ability to manage multiple legal issues concurrently with a high level of detail orientation.
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Ethical judgment and confidentiality in handling sensitive legal matters.
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Commitment to social justice, especially in supporting veterans.
This role is critical for ensuring that Brave operates within the legal frameworks while maximizing its impact in providing housing solutions for homeless veterans. The Legal Advisor will be a key advisor in navigating the legal complexities of housing development, veteran support, and non-profit management.