In-house Lawyer at Gafford Property & Homes

Responsibilities

• Legal Compliance and Regulatory Adherence: Ensure that the real estate company complies with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards. This includes zoning laws, property laws, building codes, environmental regulations, and fair housing laws.
• Contract Drafting and Review: Prepare, review, and negotiate contracts such as lease agreements, purchase agreements, and other legal documents related to real estate transactions. This also involves ensuring the legal protection of the company’s interests in these contracts.
• Risk Management: Identify potential legal risks and provide strategies to mitigate those risks. This could involve conducting due diligence on properties, assessing liabilities, and minimizing legal exposure for the company.
• Dispute Resolution: Assist in resolving disputes that may arise between the company and clients, contractors, or other parties involved in real estate transactions. This may involve negotiations, mediation, or, if necessary, representing the company in legal proceedings.
• Title Examination and Due Diligence: Oversee the process of examining property titles to ensure there are no legal issues or encumbrances. Perform due diligence on properties to verify legal ownership, boundaries, and any other legal concerns.
• Legal Advice and Consultation: Offer legal guidance and advice on a wide range of issues related to real estate, including landlord- Tenant matters, property development, land use, and investment strategies.
• Regulatory Changes and Compliance Updates: Keep the company informed about changes in real estate laws and regulations and advise on how these changes may impact the company’s operations.
• Corporate Governance and Ethics: Provide guidance on corporate governance, ethical considerations, and best practices to ensure the company operates within legal and ethical boundaries.
• Liaison with External Legal Counsel: Coordinate and work with external legal counsel, when necessary, for specialized legal matters or litigations that require additional expertise.
• Policy Development: Assist in the development of internal policies and procedures that align with legal requirements and best practices in the real estate industry.
• Training and Education: Conduct training sessions or provide educational materials to the company’s employees to ensure they understand legal obligations and potential legal risks within the industry.

Requirements
Educational Background:

• Law Degree: A Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL. B.) is the primary requirement.
• Some positions might require an advanced degree such as a Master of Laws (LL. M.) or higher, especially if focusing on a particular area of real estate law.

Professional Experience:

• Legal Experience: Demonstrated experience working in a law firm, corporate legal department, or as an in- House counsel. Prior experience in real estate law, property law, or related areas is highly beneficial.
• Real Estate Law Experience: Direct experience in real estate law or a related field, including transactional work, contract drafting, negotiation, due diligence, and property title examination.
• Litigation Experience (Desirable): Experience in handling real estate- Related disputes, litigation, or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms is often an asset.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Comprehensive Legal Knowledge: In- Depth understanding of real estate laws, property rights, zoning regulations, land use laws, contract law, and other related legal areas.
• Contract Drafting and Review: Proficiency in drafting and reviewing legal documents such as lease agreements, purchase contracts, and other property- Related documents.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills to assess legal risks, conduct due diligence, and provide strategic advice.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate complex legal concepts and negotiate with clients, other attorneys, and stakeholders.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail, particularly when examining property titles, contracts, and legal documents.
• Problem- Solving Abilities: The capability to resolve legal issues creatively and efficiently.
• Ethical and Professional Conduct: High ethical standards and professional conduct in dealing with sensitive legal matters.

Personal Attributes:

• Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively with other team members, including other legal professionals, real estate agents, clients, and external parties.
• Adaptability: Flexibility and adaptability to handle changing legal landscapes and work in a dynamic environment.
• Time Management: Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Commercial Awareness: Understanding the business side of real estate and the ability to align legal advice with the company’s goals and objectives.
• The Ideal candidate must be Residing within Lagos or Ogun State Nigeria