Job Posting Title

Commercial Real Estate Attorney

Agency

410 COMM. OF THE LAND OFFICE

Supervisory Organization

Commissioners Land Office–Legal

Job Posting End Date (Continuous if Blank)

December 04, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

Up to $83,000 depending on education and experience.

Job Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION & LEVEL DESCRIPTOR:

The Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) is a state agency that administers the permanent school fund, a trust consisting of public lands and other assets, for the use and benefit of common schools and higher education. The CLO is charged with the sale, rental, investment, and management of trust assets under the rules and regulations prescribed by the Oklahoma Legislature. 

Under direction of General Counsel, the attorney will conduct legal research and provide legal representation and advice to clients in government-related areas of expertise; to include oil and gas, public utility, rulemaking, ethics, or other areas of law as may be applicable.  This specific position will provide legal representation and advice concerning real estate transactions purchase and sale agreements (including title review of surface rights) various leasing agreements (including commercial leases, industrial leases, retail leases, and ground leases).

At this job level, the attorney is largely responsible for performing a full range of professional legal activities or at a full performance level.  May provide training or assistance to lower-level employees.  Assignments are prescribed, but the methods are not typically reviewed nor controlled while the work is in progress.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

• REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
  • Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
  • License to practice law in the State of Oklahoma.
  • Active membership of the Oklahoma Bar Association.
  • Minimum of two (2) years relevant legal or adjudicative experience.
    • Strong Preference: candidate with experience in real estate transactions including purchases, sale, title examination, and various types of surface leasing (office, retail, industrial, surface ground leases), and experience with eviction/forcible entry and detainer actions.
    • Additional (Secondary) Preference: oil and gas, agriculture, or the public sector.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• A successful candidate will have a passion for Oklahoma public service, be highly motivated, action oriented, self-starter who can meet deadlines.

• Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws; applicable regulations; constitutional law and the Oklahoma Constitution; agency policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of trial and hearing procedures; rules of evidence; methods and techniques for conducting legal research and writing.
• Skills of critical thinking; conducting legal research and written and oral communication.
• Ability to present statements of fact and law; clearly and logically articulate position in written and oral form; analyze, interpret, and apply various laws, rules, regulations, agency policies, and procedures.
• Ability to direct and/or perform independent and difficult research, analyzing, appraising, and applying legal principles and precedents to difficult legal or factual problems.
• Ability to conduct legal research on Westlaw, Pacer, the Oklahoma State Court Network, and printed or internet-based legal resources.
• Ability to meet timelines while following the Oklahoma statutes.
• Ability to represent the agency in a professional manner.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED & TYPICAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducts legal research and prepares memoranda advising agency directors and staff concerning federal, state, local, and administrative laws concerning the purchase, sale, use, and leasing of real estate.
• Prepares correspondence, contracts, and other documents related to the purchase, sale, use, and leasing of real estate.  Review contracts, documents, and other agency paperwork for accuracy and legal sufficiency.
• Assists in evaluating title opinions of surface rights and takes appropriate timely action to resolve clouds on title on real estate to be purchased or sold by the agency.
• Represents the agency in all phases state and federal court in civil litigation related to the purchase, sale, use, and leasing of real estate including, but not limited to, drafting and filing pleadings, making court appearances, post-judgment collection efforts, and the enforcement of court orders.
• Provides additional expertise in the areas of oil and gas, agriculture, finance, and laws generally applicable to state agencies as requested.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

N/A

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General office setting.  Opportunity for remote work for time periods not to exceed two days per week may be made available based on the discretion of CLO leadership upon the recommendation of immediate supervisor.

TRAVEL

Limited travel required.

EEO Statement

The Oklahoma Commissioners of Land Office (CLO) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, CLO complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.