Assistant General Counsel

Move forward with us! At NJ TRANSIT, you'll be joining us in transforming the third-largest transportation agency in North America. We are committed to delivering safe, reliable service that gets our customers to their destinations on time—and we’re looking to hire talented folks with a love of learning to make it all possible. Summary Provide legal support on a wide range of corporate, real estate, commercial contracting, and employment and labor relations legal matters working closely with NJ Transit executive leadership and departments. The position involves both counseling and litigation support. The position involves both counseling and litigation management. Roles And Responsibilities Review, analyze and draft contracts, and counseling on a variety of legal matters including corporate and commercial contracting, real estate and property transactions, employment and labor law matters, environmental and insurance issues, and related regulatory compliance. Works closely with NJ Transit staff and management to maintain compliance with applicable federal and state laws and advance strategic initiatives for NJ Transit’s economic development, sustainability, and infrastructure improvement as well as its bus and rail transportation operations.Provide important and timely legal support and advice related to compliance with employment/labor law and operational needs and efficiencies including workplace actions, investigations, discipline, policy interpretation, and compliance with safety-sensitive workforce requirements.Negotiate, draft, review and provide advice to various business and operating units within NJ Transit on various legal matters including commercial and corporate contracts; procurements; real estate acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and licensing; transit-oriented development; financing agreements; construction-related contracts; public funding requirements; and employment/labor related agreements.Review, draft and negotiate agreements with private counterparties and other local, State, and federal agencies, related to various legal matters, including commercial, real estate, construction, procurement, transportation, funding, regulatory, and labor/employment matters.Interpret NJ Transit’s By-laws, review and draft Board materials, provide legal advice to the Board Office at monthly Board and Committee meetings and support related corporate governance compliance.Manage litigation, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings involving commercial, corporate, employment/labor, real estate, administrative, and regulatory matters, including interaction with courts, agencies, commissions, arbitrators, and mediators.Develop strategies, negotiate, draft, and edit agreements with third parties for complex transactions required to implement initiatives and/or projects. Provide liaison with internal departments, external agencies, subject-matter experts, vendors, private partners, and other stakeholders.Support and participate in monitoring developments in corporate real estate, commercial contracting, employment, labor, and civil-service law, including changes affecting NJ TRANSIT’s policies, procedures, and compliance requirements and provide recommendations and training to ensure organizational compliance.Periodically review and revise NJ Transit’s template corporate contracts and other documents, and policies and procedures related to the same including those used for commercial, real estate, procurement, employment, and funding-related matters.Review and counsel on environmental, insurance and risk-management issues related to contracts, real estate matters, corporate transactions, and employment/labor compliance.Serve as internal point of contact with outside counsel and review invoices associated with the matters ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with NJ Transit’s objectives.Manage outside counsel as necessary including oversight of work product, coordination with internal stakeholders, and management of billing and engagement terms. Education, Experience, Qualifications Juris Doctor (JD) and 5+ years’ commercial real estate and contracting.New Jersey Law License required. Knowledge And Skills A blend of general corporate law, in-house, large law firm and/or public sector real estate experience preferred.Excellent inter-personal communications, research and writing skills, business acumen, excellent judgment and analytical skills, high degree of professional ethics, integrity and executive presence.Experience in the transportation/transit industry a plus.Experience in in the operation of government and private industry preferred.Experience operating in regulated industry a plus.Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills.Ability to balance legal requirements with operational needs in a fast-paced public-sector environment.High degree of professional ethics, judgment, and discretion.Ability to work collaboratively with internal stakeholders and outside counsel. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations New Jersey Bar License At NJ Transit, you will enjoy a competitive salary and excellent benefits package: Comprehensive Family Health Insurance – Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Flexible Spending Account Life Insurance Paid Leave Tuition Assistance Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits PlanRetirement Plans401(a) - Retirement plan with a 6% employer contribution401(k) - Retirement saving plan with up to an 3% company match457(b) - Deferred Savings Plan NJ TRANSIT is an Equal Opportunity Employer WWW.NJTRANSIT.COM/BEST