Assistant Counsel, Title Attorney, Development Division (NCS) - Department of Housing & Community Development

Job Summary

The Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) seeks a title attorney – land management (Grant Service Specialist III) for our development division. The role involves creating title abstracts, examining titles, advising attorneys and staff, drafting and reviewing documents, and providing legal services.

Essential Functions

• Create title abstracts, examine titles, and advise other DHCD attorneys and real-estate staff on legal aspects related to real property titles.
• Draft and review documents, such as contracts, deeds, leases, rights of entry, releases, etc., related to the purchase and sale of real property.
• Examine instruments and opinions prepared by other attorneys and advise on legal requirements in connection with titles.
• Shorten the time necessary to prepare circuit court and district court cases for in rem foreclosures, tax lien foreclosures, condemnations, and receiverships.
• Provide legal services, such as drafting and reviewing legal documents, and giving title-related advice, in support of DCHD’s purchase and disposition of properties.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Juris Doctor from an accredited college or university and must have passed the Bar Exam (State of Maryland).
• One year of experience in creating title abstracts, examining titles, title curative, advising other attorneys and real estate staff on legal aspects related to real property title, drafting and reviewing documents, such as contracts, deeds, leases, rights of entry, releases, etc., related to the purchase and sale of real property.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of real estate laws, practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing rem foreclosure, tax sale foreclosure, and condemnation proceedings as they relate to the conveyance of title.
• Knowledge of Microsoft office suite: word, excel, outlook and power-point, with at least an intermediate level of skill/experience in word and outlook specifically.

Additional Information

• Background Check: Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening, and must be successfully completed.
• Probation: All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 6-month mandatory probation.
• Financial Disclosure: This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.