Special Counsel

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA); New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 192,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework 1 day per week

Job summary

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is seeking a Special Counsel in our Legal Department to provide strategic legal guidance, manage high-stakes matters, and support policy and program initiatives across MTA agencies. The role reports to the General Counsel and collaborates with senior executives to safeguard the organization's interests.

Based in New York City at 2 Broadway, the position offers a hybrid work arrangement with telework one day per week and a demanding, high-impact

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and management experience.
• Experience in interagency coordination or crisis management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills.
• Ability to shape, recommend, and support policies and procedures across operations.
• Ability to identify and coordinate resources for novel matters across MTA agencies.
• Experience in litigation support.
• Experience in transactional law.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice to resolve complex interagency initiatives.
• Advise on time-sensitive matters including cybersecurity breaches and legislative responses.
• Coordinate resources to assist operating agencies on novel legal matters.
• Support development and issuance of policies and procedures for operational concerns.
• Provide guidance to litigation and transactional practices as directed by the General Counsel.
• Other duties as assigned; comply with policies and standards.

Skills

Leadership

Interagency coordination

Communication

Analytical abilities

Policy development

Resource coordination

Litigation support

Transactional law

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission (New York)

Job description

Job Title

JOB TITLE: Special Counsel

DEPT/DIV: Legal

SUPERVISOR: General Counsel

WORK LOCATION: 2 Broadway, New York, NY 10004

HOURS OF WORK: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm (7.5 hours/day, or as required)

FULL/PART-TIME: FULL

SALARY RANGE: $192,068 - $240,000

DEADLINE: Until filled

This position is eligible for telework, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Opening

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Job Summary

The Special Counsel to the MTA General Counsel is a senior member of the consolidated MTA Legal Department who reports to the MTA General Counsel and provides legal counsel, support, and direction regarding novel matters that pertain to or impact policy and programmatic issues and initiatives of the MTA and MTA Legal Department. The Special Counsel provides strategic legal advice and works in partnership with the MTA General Counsel, First Deputy General Counsels, Agency General Counsels (NYCTA, LIRR, MNR and TBTA) and other executive staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on interagency and intra-agency initiatives to resolve complex issues.
• Advise on critical time-sensitive matters including cybersecurity breaches and legislative responses.
• Assist operating agencies with novel legal matters by coordinating appropriate resources.
• Support the development and issuance of policies and procedures for operational and administrative concerns.
• Provide guidance to litigation and transactional practices at the direction of the General Counsel.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards
• May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable
• Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable
• Reviews invoices and approves them if the work has contractual standards, as applicable
• Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible, as applicable
• Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong leadership and management skills, with a track record of leading a team of legal professionals, managing large projects and advising an organization’s senior management
• Experience in matters involving interagency coordination or crisis management
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface effectively with all levels of the MTA and external parties, including high-profile government officials
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills
• Skilled in recommending, shaping, and supporting policies and procedures across a wide range of operational and administrative areas
• Ability to identify and coordinate appropriate resources to address novel and complex matters across MTA agencies
• Litigation Support
• Transactional Law

Required Education and Experience

• JD from an accredited law school.
• Minimum 10 years of Legal experience.
• Bar Admission. Licensed to practice law in New York.

The Following is/are preferred

• Minimum 8 years of demonstrated experience in both transactional and litigation practice
• Minimum 8 years combination of law firm and in-house experience
• Minimum 8 years of public sector legal experience, particularly in New York City or New York State
• Skilled in recommending, shaping, and supporting policies and procedures across a wide range of operational and administrative areas

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.