Job Description
The Lead Property Transaction Attorney works under the direction of the Executive Director and the Director of Legal Services and serves as the organization's subject-matter lead for residential property ownership matters. Manages a specialized caseload focused on land contracts, mortgage disputes, and rent-to-own issues. Provides training and oversight to staff attorneys to ensure consistent application of best practices to strengthen the organization’s capacity to address systemic issues in property ownership and homeownership stability.
Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Manage an active caseload involving property-related matters, including representation in District Court proceedings and Third Circuit quiet title actions, ensuring high-quality advocacy and timely case progression.
Serve as the organization’s subject-matter lead on land contracts, rent-to-own arrangements, and mortgage-related litigation.
Provide training and legal education to attorneys, advocates, and support staff across the Legal Services Department on issues related to land contracts, mortgage disputes, and rent-to-own transactions.
Offer guidance, oversight, and support to staff attorneys handling ownership cases, assisting with strategy development, case assessment, legal research, and best-practice implementation.
Complete required trainings and remain current on changes in statutes, case law, administrative guidance, and best practices related to the attorney’s areas of specialization.
Collaborate with cross-departmental teams to support the organization’s Gilbert Grant buyout program, including reviewing legal documents, advising staff, and ensuring compliance with program requirements.
Contribute to practice development, including creating or updating internal resources, templates, and training materials to promote consistency and high-quality representation.
Participate in community outreach or education efforts related to homeownership, property rights, and real-estate-based consumer protections, when appropriate.
Assist in identifying systemic issues within land contract, rent-to-own, and mortgage processes and support organizational efforts to address these problems through advocacy, partnerships, or policy recommendations.
Participate in or conduct organizational, departmental, and courtroom-related staff meetings, contributing to improved coordination, communication, and case handling.
Maintain detailed case documentation and comply with organizational reporting, grant requirements, and professional responsibility standards.
Perform responsibilities assigned to staff attorneys, including casework, client communication, and administrative obligations consistent with departmental needs.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or the Director of Legal Services to support departmental and organizational goals.
Requirements
Qualifications:
Must provide proof of J.D. degree from an accredited law school and be admitted to practice law in Michigan.
Three to five years of experience practicing law.
Experience in housing law and civil litigation.
Ability to be self-motivated and to work independently.
Ability to evaluate evidence and determine whether legal standards have been met.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to apply legal standards to factual situations.
Ability to guide non-lawyers with application of legal standards.
Attorneys will represent clients in court or in virtual hearings as determined by the court and by UCHC. Attorneys will also work in UCHC’s Detroit-based office and occasionally work from home.
Ability to relate to people from a variety of racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and lifestyles.
Strong computer skills; must be proficient in Word, Excel, Outlook, Salesforce/Justice Server.
Job Specifics
FLSA STATUS: Exempt - Full-time
DEPARTMENT: Legal Services
REPORTS TO: Director of Legal Services & Executive Director
Employment Benefits
Employment Benefits
Employer-contributed medical, dental, vision, short-term & long-term disability, and group life insurance, with PPO options available
Generous PTO program
Generous holiday program
A focus on work/life balance
Employer-contributed medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, and group life insurance. A 403(b)-retirement savings plan is offered. Generous PTO and holiday programs, with a strong focus on work-life balance.
About the Organization
United Community Housing Coalition (UCHC) is a nonprofit comprehensive housing assistance organization that has provided a variety of housing-related services to Detroit's low- income residents since 1973.
UCHC has worked with tenants, homesteaders, homeowners, the homeless, community organizations rebuilding neighborhoods and providing affordable housing, religious, civil rights, labor, and housing advocacy organization to improve, preserve and expand affordable housing opportunities for low-income Detroiters.
Because of its long history and significant expertise as a comprehensive housing services provider in Michigan, UCHC is frequently asked to provide advice to other organizations in communities across southeast Michigan.
All services are provided to income-eligible families and individuals free of charge.
The United Community Housing Coalition provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, United Community Housing Coalition complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, and termination. Consistent with state and federal laws, UCHC is committed to maintaining a workplace free from the abuse of drugs and alcohol.
Interested candidates should send an employment application, cover letter, and position-specific résumé to employment@uchcdetroit.org.