In-House Legal Counsel - Residential Property Management

Excel Residential Services

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Legal

Full Time

Job Description

A fast-growing Private Residential Property Management Company is looking for an experienced Full-Time In-House Legal Counsel / Lawyer with a strong can-do attitude for its Corporate Office in Downtown Los Angeles. The selected candidate will support the Company’s residential property management operations by providing practical legal advice on tenancy matters, regulatory compliance, contracts, and dispute resolution. This mid-level role requires hands-on involvement with day-to-day legal issues while working closely with property managers and senior leadership to manage legal risk and ensure compliance with current housing laws.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Residential Tenancy & Legal Advisory

Advise property management teams on residential tenancy laws, landlord–tenant rights and obligations.
Provide guidance on lease breaches, rent arrears, terminations, evictions, and possession matters.
Review and respond to tenant complaints, claims, and regulatory inquiries.
Support implementation of Fair Housing and consumer protection requirements.

2. Contracts & Documentation

Draft, review, and update residential lease agreements and related documentation.
Prepare legal notices, warnings, and settlement agreements in compliance with statutory requirements.
Review vendor and service provider contracts related to residential properties (maintenance, security, cleaning, etc.).
Maintain standardized legal templates and policies for residential operations.

3. Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure compliance with applicable residential housing, tenancy, and consumer laws.
Monitor changes in housing regulations and provide updates and training to internal teams.
Identify legal risks within property operations and recommend practical mitigation measures.
Assist with internal audits and compliance reviews.

4. Dispute Resolution & Litigation Support

Manage pre-litigation matters including demand letters and settlement negotiations.
Represent the company before housing tribunals or mediation forums, where permitted.
Instruct and manage external counsel for litigation and complex disputes.
Maintain records of disputes and outcomes to support risk analysis.

5. Operational & Cross-Functional Support

Work closely with property managers, leasing teams, and finance on day-to-day legal issues.
Provide legal training and guidance to operational staff on tenancy law best practices.
Support insurance claims relating to tenant damage, liability, or property loss.

Required Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Juris Doctor (JD), or equivalent, and can practice law in California and Arizona.
3 to 5 years post-qualification, strong working knowledge and demonstrated experience in Residential Tenancy Law, Landlord-Tenant Dispute Management, and Property Legal Practice within a property management company.
Experience appearing before residential tenancy tribunals or housing authorities.
Familiarity with large residential property portfolios.
Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint). Prior experience using YARDI (or other Property Management Software) preferred.
Excellent drafting, negotiation, and advisory skills.
Ability to efficiently prioritize and manage a high volume of operational legal matters, along with excellent attention to detail and professional judgment.
Strong communication skills with non-legal stakeholders across various channels (phone, email and in-person) and can interact effectively with a diverse range of people.
Excellent team player with the ability to effectively collaborate and work with colleagues across various departments and with External Legal Counsel and other third-party support providers.
·Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and new challenges, with a proactive approach to learning and development.
Must always project a professional appearance and demeanor.

Pay: $100K – 150K, DOE, Plus Year-End Performance Bonus, with benefits package including vacation, medical, dental, vision and life insurance. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Full-Time, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Company DescriptionExcel Residential Services, Inc. is a full-service property management company established in 2001, and specializing in multifamily real estate. The Company has managed over 112 properties consisting of over 6,500 apartment units. Additionally, our Affiliate Companies have managed over 200 properties, totaling over 17,000 apartment units in the United States.

From 2015, the Company has managed Affordable Housing residential apartments, under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. It currently owns and manages over 35 LIHTC properties totaling 2,300 units, mostly in and around the City of Los Angeles in California.

Excel Residential Services, Inc. employs a highly motivated team of talented individuals with diverse skills and over 50 years of combined property management experience. This provides us with the necessary market-specific expertise in today’s complex and constantly evolving real estate landscape. The Company also recognizes that each property is unique and thus customizes its services to fit each property’s specific needs.

Company Description

Excel Residential Services, Inc. is a full-service property management company established in 2001, and specializing in multifamily real estate. The Company has managed over 112 properties consisting of over 6,500 apartment units. Additionally, our Affiliate Companies have managed over 200 properties, totaling over 17,000 apartment units in the United States.\r\n\r\nFrom 2015, the Company has managed Affordable Housing residential apartments, under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. It currently owns and manages over 35 LIHTC properties totaling 2,300 units, mostly in and around the City of Los Angeles in California.\r\n\r\nExcel Residential Services, Inc. employs a highly motivated team of talented individuals with diverse skills and over 50 years of combined property management experience. This provides us with the necessary market-specific expertise in today’s complex and constantly evolving real estate landscape. The Company also recognizes that each property is unique and thus customizes its services to fit each property’s specific needs.