Racheal Baker Email & Phone Number

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Charlotte, North Carolina Area

As an attorney for the largest municipality in North Carolina, I provide legal services to the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). CATS is a department within the City of Charlotte and operates the largest transit system between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, GA. With an annual budget of $258.9 million, CATS has 400+ employees, 800 contracted bus operators and mechanics, and provides 25 million trips annually with services in 11 municipalities. A portion of the legal services I provide to CATS includes management of its real estate portfolio consisting of both federally and locally funded assets. I draft deeds, easements, leases, and a wide range of other legal instruments. I also provide legal advice on varying topics including: the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the NC Brownfields Act, construction law, railroad law, procurement law, zoning and land use law, regulatory compliance for grant recipients, public records, and eminent domain.Additional services I routinely provide are legal research, litigation coordination, field visits to issue spot, and participation in federal oversight and internal audits.Impactful Achievements:• Drafted multiple extensive policy and procedural documents to create a more effective and consistent system for the management of real property and fixtures within light rail corridors and ensure regulatory compliance. • Carried out 5 complex land exchange transactions from ideation to execution and contract management totaling a value of nearly $4 million in public real property interests.• Served as co-counsel in negotiation, agreement drafting, and project implementation phases of the CATS Battery Electric Bus Pilot Program. The program is nationally recognized as the first of its kind and was the subject of a tour presented to Vice President Kamala Harris. The program was also nominated for the City Manager’s Award in the category of Outstanding Work.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Manage the development of all contracts related to the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit ("D-O LRT") Project. Draft complex, non-routine contractual instruments and related documents for discussion and negotiation with federal agencies, North Carolina departments and agencies, county and municipal governments, universities, area hospitals and other third parties. Create contract language standards for existing and new contracts. Research new laws, regulations, contract developments, requirements, and trends for potential impacts on the D-O LRT Project.Coordinate and participate in placemaking efforts for light rail stations to ensure safety, functionality, and the incorporation of identity. Educate and engage with communities at public meetings to promote transparency, and provide avenues for open communication on the topic of the D-O LRT Project.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Supported the facilitation of multiple real estate transactions. Assisted in the representation of various public agencies. Assisted in the representation of real estate developers with regard to land acquisition and disposition, negotiations, land use issues, and construction litigation. Drafted deeds and lease agreements, performed title updates, and other services incident to such representation.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Provided support as in-house counsel. Collaborated with other departments to ensure large construction projects were in compliance with federal environmental regulations as well as other federal and state regulations.

Assist with legal research and real estate transactions. Research various questions regarding federal and state laws on the topics of conservation easements, taxation and real estate. Draft documents, and assist with litigation management and corporate compliance.

Examine residential foreclosure files for Durham County, North Carolina, and identify corresponding demographic and socioeconomic data at the census tract level. Determine if any geographical clustering exists and investigate common attributes of those locations. Analyze mortgage terms and identify most active lenders.In this position, I have created a geographical, interactive, thematic story map of the highest foreclosure rates in Durham County by census tract, along with corresponding demographical attributes, published on the UNC Center on Poverty, Work & Opportunity official website.

Wilmington, North Carolina Area

Assisted with land acquisitions, purchase agreements, and conservation easements. Researched and ensured that federal, state, and local tax requirements for donation and land ownership were met. Provided support to staff with government relations, policy initiatives, and legislative affairs affecting the land acquisition and stewardship agenda.In this position, I drafted ground leases, assignments, easements, fiscal sponsorship documents, and contracts to be recorded and/or submitted to another negotiating party for review. I also drafted legal memorandums concerning condemnation effects on conservation easements, tax requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations, and other applicable legal matters.

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

 Founder and President, Carolina Real Estate Law Association  Recipient of the 2014 Eugene Gressman & David H. Pollitt Oral Advocacy.

Master'S Degree, City/Urban, Community And Regional Planning

 Real Estate Development & Placemaking Specialization  Career Development Committee Member, Planner’s Forum  Durham Brownfield.

Bachelor Of Arts, English; Women & Gender Studies; African American Studies

 Recipient of four Minority Academic Achievement Awards