Justice Built Real Estate Attorney

About us:

The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation (Foundation) is a leading statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing fairness and access to justice for Ohioans. Founded in 1994, the Foundation is at the forefront of funding and supporting civil legal aid societies, resources, programs, and services designed to meet the unmet civil legal needs of low-income and underserved communities across Ohio. The Foundation plays a crucial role in promoting fairness and equity within the justice system.

About Justice Built:

Justice Built is a new, nonprofit law firm that has been formed to provide legal services to nonprofits and community groups working to create or preserve affordable housing in Ohio. Justice Built will be incubated at OAJF to support the project’s initial growth and development. Justice Built will become a freestanding nonprofit law firm.

Position Overview:

The ideal candidate will launch Justice Built as a transactional attorney focusing on real estate and real estate financing serving nonprofit and community group clients and effectuating work that grows the affordable housing stock in Ohio. As Justice Built grows and develops, the ideal candidate will evolve into an executive director, leading the organization.

• The Justice Built attorney will build relationships and opportunities for affordable housing deals, supported by the Justice Built Advisory Board. Through the attorney’s work and vision, the attorney will also build the case for the future staff size and composition of Justice Built.
• Justice Built is expected to grow over time, both in staff and scope and to become a freestanding nonprofit law firm in the not-to-distant future.

Major Duties:

• Represent nonprofits in real estate transactions that will produce affordable housing;
• Build relationships with nonprofit organizations and local communities interested in sponsoring or supporting the creation of affordable housing, especially affordable home ownership opportunities;
• Build relationships with people and organizations within the affordable housing sector in Ohio, including, but not limited to OHFA leadership with the intent of cultivating a pipeline of potential projects;
• Engage in advocacy to support affordable housing projects;
• Lead Justice Built in its growth and development, including staff expansion and development, budgeting, and strategic planning;
• Supporting grant application and other revenue-building for Justice Built; and,
• Report and communicate on the development and achievements of Justice Built.

While housed by OAJF, this position will report to the Policy & Justice Initiatives Counsel.

Qualifications:

· Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree (required)

· Admitted or eligible to be admitted to the Ohio Bar (required)

• Minimum of 5 years in real estate finance, real estate development, and community economic development experience (experience in affordable housing preferred)
• Experience with low-income communities, and commitment to creating opportunities for low-income individuals
• Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills
• Experience engaging and collaborating with diverse community stakeholders
• Interest in working in rural Ohio communities and with housing authorities outside of Ohio’s major metro areas
• Strong networking and community-engagement skills
• Strategic, detail-oriented, and analytical self-starter with exceptional organizational and time management skills.

The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, familial status, or any other basis prohibited by law. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Compensation / Benefits:

The Foundation offers a generous benefits package, including health insurance and retirement. The Foundation operates with a hybrid work schedule.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and interest in the position to [email protected] or via Indeed.

Please note: Applicants must be authorized for employment in Ohio. Sponsorships are not available.

Pay: $140,000.00 - $170,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• Will you include a cover letter with your resume?

Work Location: In person