Description:
An Economic Development Agency is the State's affordable housing agency, with a mission to build, preserve and protect affordable housing and increase homeownership throughout New York State.Under
the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner RuthAnne
Visnauskas, HCR is a vibrant, innovative agency that integrates and
leverages New York State's housing resources. We have offices in New
York City, Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse, and employ a diverse workforce
of professionals who are hard-working and committed to serving low and
moderate income families. Our mission is far reaching, encompassing
single and multifamily housing finance, home improvement, rent
regulation, housing subsidies, and community development. We partner
regularly with a variety of public and private stakeholders.
Achieving this mission requires a wide range of skills and backgrounds in public policy, administration, real estate, architecture, finance, law, and many other areas of expertise. We seek to provide a workplace environment that is productive, flexible, accountable, ethical, and caring. Our employees are empowered to make a difference where they live and work. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, retirement, and family-friendly policies.
Job Summary:
The Deputy Counsel - HFA is responsible for managing the attorneys and other professional staff providing legal services for the New York State Housing Finance Agency (“HFA”) with a focus on the financing of the HFA multi-family housing projects. HFA, together with the State of New York Mortgage Agency (“SONYMA”) and their respective subsidiaries are public benefit corporations of the State of New York and fund their operations through the issuance of bonds. HFA issues tax exempt and taxable bonds to provide low-cost financing to developers to build or renovate rental housing that is available to low-to-moderate income families.
The role of the attorneys in supporting the HFA project financing programs is largely transactional. Attorneys work on HFA bond financed multi-family housing projects from initial financing through permanent conversion following construction completion. HFA projects utilize the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit as well as various subsidy sources and credit enhancement. The Deputy Counsel will be responsible for the oversight and day to day management of the attorneys and other professionals providing legal support on a range of issues relating to the HFA transactional practice including project financing, asset management, special programs, HFA bond issuance and related in-house legal duties.
Responsibilities:
- All aspects of multi-family bond housing financings, both at initial funding and at conversion.
- All legal aspects of the related real estate financings;
- All other legal areas related to the project financings, as required.
- All legal aspects of loan and asset management, including areas related to mortgage enforcement.
- Supervision of the legal staff of attorneys and paralegals in all aspects of their work;
- Supervision of outside counsel.
Qualifications:
- Must be admitted to the practice of law in New York State.
- Must have 10 years of experience with 5 years of experience in real estate law.
- Significant experience with sophisticated real estate transactions, secured financing, construction lending and mortgage loan portfolio management, or have a good understanding of the preceding together with government experience and experience with the legislative process.
- Experience with LIHTC, tax law, environmental law and litigation may also be helpful.
- Must have experience supervising and managing teams of lawyers and professional staff.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff and outside attorneys and consultants.
- Ability to manage outside counsel.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills.
- Record of productivity.
