Senior Counsel, Transactions - Real Estate Development & Planning
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, NY, United States
Senior Counsel, Transactions - Real Estate Development
Salary Range:
Level I - $155,248
Level II - $166,116
Level III - $181,066
Department: Legal
Supervisor: Deputy General Counsel
Location: 2 Broadway
Hours of Work: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
This position is eligible for telework. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.
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. The MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding career opportunities.
Overview of Division and Position The Real Estate Development Division is seeking a Senior Counsel I, II, or III to join the team, depending on their experience level as described below. The division provides legal, transactional, and strategic advice to the MTA, its subsidiaries, and affiliates in connection with transit‑oriented development initiatives, strategic re‑positioning of the MTA’s real estate portfolio, facilitation of land‑use policies, and significant capital projects that enhance reliable, accessible, and sustainable transit. The Senior Counsel will be a senior‑level position with primary involvement and legal oversight of real estate and transactional matters focused on leveraging private development to further the transit‑oriented development mission. Responsibilities include structuring, drafting, negotiating, and executing real estate transaction documents to monetize the MTA’s under‑utilized real property interests and to partner with developers and municipalities that contribute to station, infrastructure, and facility modernization.
The Senior Counsel will work collaboratively with:
MTA and MTA Construction & Development Legal Department Deputy General Counsels and all MTA Legal Department professional and administrative staff.
MTA Departments and Units/Offices, including Transit‑Oriented Development, Real Estate Transactions & Operations, and Construction & Development.
Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, and senior staff at New York City Transit, Metro‑North Commuter Railroad, Long Island Rail Road, Buses, Bridges and Tunnels, and Construction and Development.
Federal, State, or local administrative agencies.
Education and Experience Level I‑III:
Required Education and Experience:
JD from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in New York.
A minimum of five (5) years of relevant law firm, public sector legal, or in‑house legal experience.
Preferred Experience:
Public sector legal experience, particularly in New York City or New York State.
Transportation sector experience.
History of successfully supervising or mentoring junior attorneys.
A record of communicating with and advising the organization’s senior management.
Required Competencies
Strong legal research and writing ability.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface effectively with people at all levels of the organization and external parties.
Demonstrated knowledge base and practice skills relating to the various practice areas and responsibilities of this position.
Demonstrated leadership skills.
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 external sites.
General Description (by Level I, II or III) of the Role of a Senior Counsel, Transactions The Senior Counsel, Transactions position reports to a Deputy General Counsel or Assistant Deputy General Counsel in a Transactions Division of the consolidated MTA Legal Department. Depending on the needs of the Legal Department and the Division, duties include representing the MTA and its operating agencies in transactions, client counseling, compliance, negotiations, dispute resolution, risk management, and providing legal counsel on statutory, regulatory, agency policy, and other matters that impact MTA operations.
Level I Responsibilities
Provide superior legal representation and counsel to the MTA on complex matters with light supervision.
Represent in matters including legal support for transactions, compliance, drafting contracts and agreements, use of eminent domain power, environmental compliance matters, client counseling, due diligence, deal structuring, negotiations, dispute resolution, authorizing documentation, advocacy, and risk management.
Handle fast‑paced, moderately complex negotiations with multiple counterparties and develop creative strategies to resolve barriers while preserving legal and business objectives.
Review highly complex, high‑value, or special‑risk transactional and compliance matters, foreseeing unintended impacts and providing mitigation alternatives.
Draft moderately complex to complex contracts and deals with thorough legal technical drafting that mitigates risks.
Conduct thorough reviews of complex documents, including business and financial documents, and provide strategic advice to the client.
Resolve disputes of moderate to high complexity while navigating ethical issues.
Present legal advice to upper management concisely.
Supervise the work of other attorneys when required.
Serve as primary liaison with outside counsel, reviewing draft materials.
Provide in‑house legal counsel on non‑litigation matters.
Review external and internal client communication for legal compliance.
Prepare comments on proposed legislation and regulations.
Level II Responsibilities
Provide superior legal representation and counsel to the MTA on highly complex matters with minimal supervision.
Handle fast‑paced and complex negotiations responsibly.
Review highly complex contracts and agreements with multiple parties and complex components.
Draft highly complex contracts and agreements involving novel operational and legal issues.
Lead due diligence reviews for complex transactions and develop approaches to address challenges.
Handle complex disputes involving multiple parties with adept control of discussion dynamics.
Frequently supervise the work of junior attorneys.
Serve as lead in‑house counsel on litigation with significant policy implications.
Draft new or revised MTA agency rules, procedures, and guidelines.
Draft proposed legislation and regulations.
Lead complex settlement discussions.
Level III Responsibilities
Provide superior legal representation and counsel on highly complex matters while working independently and keeping superiors informed.
Lead and close highly complex/high‑stakes, voluminous negotiations with exceptional interpersonal, strategic, and problem‑solving skills.
Review highly complex and high‑value contracts, agreements, and compliance issues with keen business and legal judgment.
Structure transactions and deals to meet business needs and legal concerns.
Provide overall strategy on due diligence, identify intricate risks, and devise innovative solutions.
Lead strategy on highly complex/high‑stakes disputes, evaluating long‑term strategic goals.
Provide in‑house counsel on novel and sophisticated non‑litigation matters.
Finalize staff summaries for MTA Board and Committees for review and approval.
Lead discussions and negotiations with regulators on legal matters.
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”).
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.
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Salary Range:
Level I - $155,248
Level II - $166,116
Level III - $181,066
Department: Legal
Supervisor: Deputy General Counsel
Location: 2 Broadway
Hours of Work: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
This position is eligible for telework. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.
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. The MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding career opportunities.
Overview of Division and Position The Real Estate Development Division is seeking a Senior Counsel I, II, or III to join the team, depending on their experience level as described below. The division provides legal, transactional, and strategic advice to the MTA, its subsidiaries, and affiliates in connection with transit‑oriented development initiatives, strategic re‑positioning of the MTA’s real estate portfolio, facilitation of land‑use policies, and significant capital projects that enhance reliable, accessible, and sustainable transit. The Senior Counsel will be a senior‑level position with primary involvement and legal oversight of real estate and transactional matters focused on leveraging private development to further the transit‑oriented development mission. Responsibilities include structuring, drafting, negotiating, and executing real estate transaction documents to monetize the MTA’s under‑utilized real property interests and to partner with developers and municipalities that contribute to station, infrastructure, and facility modernization.
The Senior Counsel will work collaboratively with:
MTA and MTA Construction & Development Legal Department Deputy General Counsels and all MTA Legal Department professional and administrative staff.
MTA Departments and Units/Offices, including Transit‑Oriented Development, Real Estate Transactions & Operations, and Construction & Development.
Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, and senior staff at New York City Transit, Metro‑North Commuter Railroad, Long Island Rail Road, Buses, Bridges and Tunnels, and Construction and Development.
Federal, State, or local administrative agencies.
Education and Experience Level I‑III:
Required Education and Experience:
JD from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in New York.
A minimum of five (5) years of relevant law firm, public sector legal, or in‑house legal experience.
Preferred Experience:
Public sector legal experience, particularly in New York City or New York State.
Transportation sector experience.
History of successfully supervising or mentoring junior attorneys.
A record of communicating with and advising the organization’s senior management.
Required Competencies
Strong legal research and writing ability.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface effectively with people at all levels of the organization and external parties.
Demonstrated knowledge base and practice skills relating to the various practice areas and responsibilities of this position.
Demonstrated leadership skills.
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 external sites.
General Description (by Level I, II or III) of the Role of a Senior Counsel, Transactions The Senior Counsel, Transactions position reports to a Deputy General Counsel or Assistant Deputy General Counsel in a Transactions Division of the consolidated MTA Legal Department. Depending on the needs of the Legal Department and the Division, duties include representing the MTA and its operating agencies in transactions, client counseling, compliance, negotiations, dispute resolution, risk management, and providing legal counsel on statutory, regulatory, agency policy, and other matters that impact MTA operations.
Level I Responsibilities
Provide superior legal representation and counsel to the MTA on complex matters with light supervision.
Represent in matters including legal support for transactions, compliance, drafting contracts and agreements, use of eminent domain power, environmental compliance matters, client counseling, due diligence, deal structuring, negotiations, dispute resolution, authorizing documentation, advocacy, and risk management.
Handle fast‑paced, moderately complex negotiations with multiple counterparties and develop creative strategies to resolve barriers while preserving legal and business objectives.
Review highly complex, high‑value, or special‑risk transactional and compliance matters, foreseeing unintended impacts and providing mitigation alternatives.
Draft moderately complex to complex contracts and deals with thorough legal technical drafting that mitigates risks.
Conduct thorough reviews of complex documents, including business and financial documents, and provide strategic advice to the client.
Resolve disputes of moderate to high complexity while navigating ethical issues.
Present legal advice to upper management concisely.
Supervise the work of other attorneys when required.
Serve as primary liaison with outside counsel, reviewing draft materials.
Provide in‑house legal counsel on non‑litigation matters.
Review external and internal client communication for legal compliance.
Prepare comments on proposed legislation and regulations.
Level II Responsibilities
Provide superior legal representation and counsel to the MTA on highly complex matters with minimal supervision.
Handle fast‑paced and complex negotiations responsibly.
Review highly complex contracts and agreements with multiple parties and complex components.
Draft highly complex contracts and agreements involving novel operational and legal issues.
Lead due diligence reviews for complex transactions and develop approaches to address challenges.
Handle complex disputes involving multiple parties with adept control of discussion dynamics.
Frequently supervise the work of junior attorneys.
Serve as lead in‑house counsel on litigation with significant policy implications.
Draft new or revised MTA agency rules, procedures, and guidelines.
Draft proposed legislation and regulations.
Lead complex settlement discussions.
Level III Responsibilities
Provide superior legal representation and counsel on highly complex matters while working independently and keeping superiors informed.
Lead and close highly complex/high‑stakes, voluminous negotiations with exceptional interpersonal, strategic, and problem‑solving skills.
Review highly complex and high‑value contracts, agreements, and compliance issues with keen business and legal judgment.
Structure transactions and deals to meet business needs and legal concerns.
Provide overall strategy on due diligence, identify intricate risks, and devise innovative solutions.
Lead strategy on highly complex/high‑stakes disputes, evaluating long‑term strategic goals.
Provide in‑house counsel on novel and sophisticated non‑litigation matters.
Finalize staff summaries for MTA Board and Committees for review and approval.
Lead discussions and negotiations with regulators on legal matters.
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”).
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr