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General Counsel

General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2015, HUD had $35,527 million in outlays and 8,059 total employment. The Office of General Counsel consists of the headquarters organizations, 10 regional offices, 36 offices of counsel and five satellite offices of the Departmental Enforcement Center.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manages and directs HUD legal departments, including civil rights programs, general litigation and enforcement actions
• Works with the administration and Congress on program and legislative initiatives involving various aspects of financing, development and preservation of housing
• Develops HUD program regulations and assists in the development of HUD programs and policies

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Distinguished legal career of at least a decade
• Leadership and management experience
• Experience in large public/private legal entity
• Real estate and mortgage finance background (preferred)

Competencies

• Strategic Orientation: demonstrates complex thinking abilities, incorporating both analytical and conceptual abilities to manage and develop legal plans and strategies
• Results Orientation: demonstrated ability to be proactive, exercise independent judgment, and manage multiple projects simultaneously; a strong work ethic and a track record of producing high quality work under deadline pressures
• Team Leadership: experience effectively managing geographically-dispersed staff of legal and administrative support professionals
• Collaboration & Influencing: proven track record of creating and managing relationships with peer executives inside the organization, outside counsel, and third parties/institutions

Past Appointments
  • Helen R. Kanovsky (May 2009 – 2017), Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, Chief of Staff to Senator John Kerry, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of GE Capital Asset Management Corporation
  • Robert M. Couch, (2007 – 2008), President of Government National Mortgage Association, President and CEO of New South Federal Savings Bank, General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer of First Commercial Bancshares
  • Keith Gottfried (2005 – 2006), Senior Vice President-Corporate Affairs and Special Advisor to the CEO, Borland Software Corporation, Corporate Attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Corporate Attorney at Blank Rome LLP
AGENCY

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Mission: To create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.

COMPENSATION

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)1

REPORTS TO

Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

SENATE COMMITTEE

Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs

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Footnote
  1. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
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