Job Description
Position Summary
Our legal staff represents non-profit organizations and affiliate entities engaged in affordable housing and community and economic development. We provide community education and support clients who seek to engage in local, state, and national policy for housing justice.
The core work of our attorneys involves highly sophisticated lawyering in real estate development transactional matters for non-profit organizations and related entities. Examples of this work include assistance and counsel on:
- Entity structuring & nonprofit governance — Advising on entity selection, mergers, IRS compliance, partnerships, and joint venture formation
- Site acquisition— Assistance on real estate acquisitions, including due diligence, title analysis, and drafting and reviewing acquisition agreements
- Planning and pre-development of affordable housing developments funded by Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) or other federal, state or local sources
- Formation and operations of tenant cooperatives and community land trusts
- Navigating complex regulatory & funding structures — leveraging LIHTC, HUD programs, tax exemptions, and other subsidies
- Other development pillars — Community economic inclusion (e.g., Section 3 hiring), mixed-use/commercial integration, manufactured home park conversions, single-room occupancy (SRO), and supportive housing models
Core Responsibilities
- Advise and counsel clients, most of which are developing affordable housing
- Draft, prepare, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, loan documents, and other agreements on behalf of clients to protect their legal interests
- Negotiate with lenders, architects, contractors, government entities and other parties and their counsel, to advance our client’s interests
- Conduct legal and program-related research
- Assist in the preparation of documents necessary to challenge laws, regulations, policies, and practices that are detrimental to the interests of our clients
- Supervise paralegals and/or law students on client matters
- Become familiar with directives of RHLS and its funding sources, as applicable
Our legal staff participate in coalitions and committees that advance affordable housing justice and expansion of resources with government agencies and peer organizations.
Qualifications
- Graduation with a B.S. or B.A. from an accredited college or university, graduation from an American Bar Association-accredited law school, and admission to the practice of law in Pennsylvania or eligibility to become a member of the PA state bar within six months of hire. Admission to or eligibility to sit for the Delaware state bar is a plus.
- Prior experience in the areas of transactional legal work, including real estate development and finance, OR substantive experience or knowledge of one or more of the following: partnership law, HUD and housing finance agency programs, nonprofit corporation law, or tax law.
- Prior experience in affordable housing or within legal aid/low-income advocacy in the areas of housing law and/or housing advocacy is highly desirable.
- Local and state travel may be required. A valid driver’s license or access to alternate means of transportation is desirable.
- Demonstrated commitment to achieving racial and economic justice.
RHLS offices are located in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Wilmington, DE. This position is hybrid with time in the office expected as needed, but primarily opportunities to work remotely.
Our salary range is $72,000 – $150,000 depending on experience. For example, for an attorney who just passed the bar – up to three years’ relevant experience, the range is $72,000 – 85,000. For an attorney with 4-7 years’ relevant experience the range is $90,000 -$120,000. For an attorney with 8 years or more relevant experience the range is $120,00-$ 150,000.
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