Deputy General Counsel/Unit Chief

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.

Position Objective:

This position reports to the First Deputy General Counsel (Transactions) and is responsible for managing the Real Estate Development & Planning practice within the MTA's consolidated Legal Department, including the supervision of MTA Senior and Associate attorneys and outside counsel on relevant transactions.  The position serves as principal counsel to the MTA's Transit-Oriented Development & Real Estate Planning Departments and a trusted advisor to the First Dep. General Counsel (Transactions).  The position frequently collaborates with the MTA's Deputy General Counsels in other Transactional practices and advises MTA's staff and executives in a number of other legal practice areas, including public/private partnerships and project finance.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the MTA's Real Estate Development & Planning practice and all related legal matters, including air-rights overbuild developments, infrastructure and facility expansion, property sales, leases, licenses, easements, and advertising franchises, in order to best protect the MTA’s interests.
• Provide legal advice and counsel to MTA's executives and staff in real estate development-related functions to ensure compliance with all legal requirements, maximize the benefits for the MTA and its operating agencies, and efficiently bring transactions to a successful conclusion.
• Manage and coach the less experienced, full-time lawyers handling real estate development matters to ensure efficient and effective representation.
• Review, analyze, draft, and negotiate a wide variety of real estate development-related contracts and documents.
• Advise real estate development-related management regarding legal and business risks to protect MTA’s interests.
• Support the First Dep. General Counsel (Transactions) by providing him/her with legal, business, and policy advice.
• Assist in the selection, development, and motivation of in-house professional legal staff to ensure high-quality and efficient provision of legal services that enable the MTA to decrease its reliance on outside counsel. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review the performance of staff. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Represent the MTA in complex and sensitive special assignments as requested by the First Dep. General Counsel (Transactions)
• Supervise and coordinate with outside counsel in real estate development matters.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required for All Jobs:

• 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 meets 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:

• Demonstrated excellence in the practice of real estate law.
• Demonstrated initiative and excellent judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on matters of significant size, importance, and complexity.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and clients in a fast-paced environment.
• Prior supervisory experience over a professional legal staff.
• Prior experience as the lead lawyer on sophisticated real estate development transactions.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated confidence in dealing with senior management and sophisticated counter parties.
• Proven capability to build and maintain client relationships, including contacts in the real estate development and legal fields.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within the MTA's offices and agencies, and to build and maintain intra-agency contacts.
• Ability to communicate, collaborate, and/or negotiate with external agency counterparts, which may include Federal, State, NY City, and/or other local government agency staff and officials.  
• Strong organizational, negotiating, and drafting skills.
• Ability to identify creative, business-oriented solutions to legal and business risks.

Required Education and Experience:

• JD from an accredited law school
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience as an attorney or comparable relevant legal and managerial experience in high-level positions at a law firm or governmental legal office, or in a private sector legal department.
• Admission to the New York State Bar upon hire

The Following is/are preferred:

• Budget responsibility in prior experience.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures

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.