Employment & Labor Counsel

MBTA; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

MBTA seeks an Employment and Labor Counsel to provide day-to-day legal counsel, representation, and support to MassDOT and the MBTA in employment litigation and labor matters before state and federal bodies.

Responsibilities include responding to MCAD/EEO and other claims, offering policy guidance, advising on collective bargaining issues, managing discovery and depositions, and coordinating with labor relations to ensure compliant, consistent discipline across departments.

Qualifications

• JD required with admission to the Massachusetts Bar in good standing.
• Experience in employment and labor law, preferably in the public sector.
• Ability to oversee outside counsel and manage a high-volume workload.
• Experience with discovery and depositions is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Respond to MCAD/EEO and complex labor-related claims for MassDOT and the MBTA.
• Provide counsel on employment and labor law impacting agency operations.
• Represent MassDOT and MBTA in state and federal courts and agencies.
• Draft and revise employment-related policies to ensure compliance.
• Support discovery, depositions, negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution.
• Maintain case data in a management system and coordinate with labor relations.

Skills

Strong analytical and communication

Legal research abilities

Confidentiality

Negotiation and dispute resolution

Team collaboration

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school

Massachusetts Bar admission in good standing

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

Adobe PDF

Job description

Employment and Labor Counsel will provide day-to-day legal counsel, representation, and support to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the MBTA in employment litigation and employment and labor law to managers and department heads at all levels of authority.

Duties & Responsibilities :

• Respond to complex Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination(MCAD) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) claims against both MassDOT and the MBTA and respond to complex federal and state employment and labor-related claims within the Department of Labor (DOL).Department of Labor Relations (DLR) and other federal and state agencies.
• Provide legal advice and counsel in the areas of employment and labor law, which will have a significant impact on MassDOT and the MBTA.
• Provide legal counsel and advice on complex employment and labor litigation matters.
• Represent MassDOT and the MBTA in complex employment and labor litigation in before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, which will have a significant impact on MassDOT and the MBTA.
• Represent MassDOT in labor arbitrations.
• Communicate with representatives of other agencies and collaborate with cross-agency teams and stakeholders to share information, resolve issues, and develop or implement new employment and labor programs.
• Draft employment-related policies or amendments to existing policies based on legal research and agency needs to improve and streamline agency practices, support operational efficiencies, and ensure agency compliance with laws, which will have a significant impact on MassDOT and the MBTA.
• Support, prepare and handle discovery and depositions in complex agency and court matters.
• Handle negotiations, mediations, and alternative dispute resolution of employment-related matters.
• Prepare reports on employment and labor case status, exposure, and dispositions, which may include sensitive and confidential personnel information.
• Accountable for maintaining data in an employment and labor case management system on a timely and complete basis.
• Work in close collaboration with the MassDOT and MBTA labor relations to ensure consistent, uniform, and effective discipline administration across all departments.
• Provide legal advice and counsel to MassDOT and MBTA labor relations on collective bargaining related matters. Participate in the development of contract proposals and provide guidance as necessary in collective bargaining negotiations, including, with respect to MassDOT, advice and counsel regarding labor law matters arising under Chapter 150E.
• Provide counsel to MassDOT and MBTA employment and labor professionals in a confidential capacity.
• Maintain awareness of legal developments and changes in employment and labor law.
• Review, analyze and update employment-related policies and procedures.
• Respond to notices, subpoenas, summons, unfair labor practice charges, demand letters, and other correspondence that require legal action in the employment and human resources arena.
• Ensure compliance with applicable employment and labor laws, regulations, and policies.
• Adhere to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Assist outside counsel providing support on labor and employment matters.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include a focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.

Supervision

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications :

• A Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution.
• Membership in good standing with the Massachusetts Bar, including annual registration and certification by the Board of Overseers.
• Two (2) years of experience practicing employment and labor law, preferably in the public sector before the MCAD, the EEOC, the DLR, or comparable state or federal agencies, or in Massachusetts state or federal courts, including both advising clients on employment or labor law matters and representing parties in employment litigation or administrative agency proceedings.
• Ability to oversee the work of law firms functioning as outside counsel.
• Ability to manage and prioritize a high-volume workload.
• Effective organizational, analytical and confidentiality skills.
• Ability to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Adobe Pro, or other database applications.
• Excellent customer service, presentation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work with a diverse workforce.
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.