Law Clerk

Located in Detroit, MI

SUMMARY

The Law Clerk 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 Board meetings, and preparing summaries for executive leadership.

 

EDUCATIONAL 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.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

? 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

? 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 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, consumer bankruptcy law,  real estate and development law

? Basic knowledge of privacy laws and federal and state

? Knowledge of freedom of information laws

 

JOB FUNCTIONS

Legal Research & Writing:

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.

Contract & Procurement Support:

Assist in reviewing and drafting contracts, leases, and procurement agreements.

• Conduct contract analysis to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Policy & Compliance Review:
• 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.

 

 

Litigation Support:

• Assist in the preparation of pleadings, discovery responses, and other legal documents for litigation involving the housing authority.

Public Records & FOIA Requests:

• 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.

Resident & Tenant Matters:

• 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.

Board & Administrative Support:

• 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.
• Interdepartmental Collaboration:
• Work with various departments, including Compliance, Procurement, and Resident Services, on legal matters.
• Provide legal support on special projects or policy initiatives as needed.
• Community Outreach & Education:
• 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.
• Other Duties as Assigned:
• Support the Office of the General Counsel in additional tasks needed to further the mission of the housing authority.
• SOFTWARE
• ? Word processing software
• ? Spreadsheet software
• ? Internet software
• ? Programming software
• ? Database software

 

Apply Now