Legal Counsel-Conveyancing at Username Properities

Job Purpose Statement:

• The Legal Counsel – Conveyancing will be responsible for safeguarding and advancing the legal interests of Username by providing comprehensive legal advice and support across the company’s business operations. The role will primarily focus on conveyancing, property transactions, land acquisition, due diligence, and ensuring legally compliant and seamless transfer of property ownership.
• The job holder will also provide legal support on finance-related matters, intellectual property, and Username Sacco operations; identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks; and advise management on emerging legal issues affecting the company. The role will further support the preparation, review, negotiation, and execution of legal and commercial agreements and represent the company in legal proceedings, where required.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

Acquisitions, Conveyancing & Subdivisions

• Track and manage property transfers at various lands registries.
• Monitor the subdivision process to ensure timely completion.
• Maintain organized and up-to-date project files, including all essential completion documents.
• Ensure that titles for each project are prepared and available.
• Collaborate with the documentation team to secure necessary clearances for transfer of Titles to Clients and transfer of Project lands to Username Properties Ltd.
• Assist in drafting letters of offer for lease acquisitions.
• Conduct due diligence through official property searches for potential leases or purchases.
• Review and verify the terms of conveyancing documents prepared by external lawyers.
• Provide advice on legal requirements, processes, and documentation for property disposals.
• Update and track the monthly commercial agreements report.

Legal advisory – Username Properties Ltd & Username Sacco

• Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Review commercial contracts and other essential documentation.
• Develop policies and standard operating procedures.
• Provide legal advice on issues impacting these business units.
• Keep Heads of Departments and management informed of relevant legal, regulatory, market, and government developments that may affect their operations.
• Support management in resolving legal and contractual issues and provide guidance on appropriate risk mitigation measures.

Litigation and dispute resolution

• Respond to and manage all court summons, pleadings and demand letters received by the company.
• Manage court summons, pleadings, demand letters, and other legal proceedings.
• Coordinate litigation matters with external advocates and ensure effective representation.
• Maintain a detailed calendar of all ongoing court cases and their hearing dates.
• Advise on dispute resolution and legal risk mitigation.
• Ensure the company is represented in court by qualified advocates.
• Monitor case progress and provide monthly litigation reports to the CEO and Directors.

Partnerships and Commercial Agreements

• Conduct legal and commercial due diligence on prospective partners before the Company enters into partnership arrangements.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on partnership proposals, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), influencer agreements, advertising contracts, and other partnership-related agreements.
• Review existing partnerships and assess their contractual compliance, performance, commercial value, and legal risks.
• Maintain and safeguard an up-to-date Partnerships Register capturing key contractual and renewal information.
• Monitor partnership agreements and ensure timely renewal, amendment, or termination in liaison with management and relevant business units.
•  Advise management on contractual obligations, liabilities, risks, and appropriate measures for protecting the Company’s interests in partnership arrangements.

Legal Documentation, Records and filing

• Maintain secure and organized legal, conveyancing, litigation, and contractual records.
• Ensure proper custody and control of original title documents and other critical legal documents.
• Maintain relevant legal registers and document-tracking systems.
• Ensure timely updating of litigation, contracts, partnerships, conveyancing, and other relevant legal registers.

Training and Compliance Awareness

• Provide training to staff on the legal requirements relevant to their roles within the company.
• Educate employees on business principles, legal risk management, and relevant Company policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time

Qualification and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL. B).
• Postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
• Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience as in-house counsel for a corporate entity, preferably in real estate sector.
• Strong expertise in conveyancing, including title searches, land transfers, etc.
• Proven experience in litigation and dispute resolution relating to land and property matters.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic legal advisory support to senior management.
• Hands-on experience in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, and drafting or negotiating high-value contracts.
• Strong understanding of Kenyan land laws, planning regulations, and real estate transactions.

Competency Requirements:

• Ability to work independently and with no supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to anticipate work needs and interact professionally with customers.
• Strong sense of responsibility and urgency.
• High level of accuracy, efficiency, and accountability.
• Be computer literate.
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Must have the ability to work as a team.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Must be business minded.