Labor Counsel

Responsibilities

• Serve as the authority’s legal advocate in contract grievances, disciplinary cases, arbitrations, trials, mediations, and administrative proceedings, ensuring that the Authority’s position is effectively presented.
• Formulates litigation strategy and settlements, prepares witnesses, gathers evidence, researches legal issues, drafts legal briefs and other litigation papers, presents oral arguments to arbitrators, mediators, and Administrative Law Judges.
• Serve as counsel to Authority management, providing day-to-day advice and legal evaluation in connection with disciplinary matters, labor issues, New York State Civil Service Law, contract interpretations, and policy formation.
• Ensure compliance with the legal obligations required under the collective bargaining agreements as well as under New York State and Federal law.
• Review labor legislation and formulate the Authority’s statement in support/statement in opposition to legislation. Ensure the Authority’s position on proposed legislation is delivered timely to the MTA’s legislative team.
• Evaluate evidence, assess possible litigation outcomes, draft disciplinary charges, formulate proposals, day-to-day contact and negotiations with union representatives to resolve litigation matters, and respond to information requests / FOIL requests for information sought by labor.
• Participate in collective bargaining negotiations, record minutes of collective bargaining negotiations, assist in developing collective bargaining strategies, and ensure the smooth implementation of collectively bargained terms.
• Negotiate labor contracts within cost guidelines and patterns set by the MTA.
• Participate in Labor/Management meetings. Prepare minutes from prior Labor/Management meetings. Address and resolve issues without the need for grievances or litigation, and maintain a channel of effective communication with the unions.

Requirements

• With wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, this position involves presenting the Authority’s position in litigated proceedings as well as in day to day incidents involving disciplinary matters; advocating to judges, arbitrators, mediators, unions and senior level management that certain actions are necessary for the operational needs of the Authority and/or the resolution of disputes; proposing strategies to ensure the appropriate resolution of disputes that is consistent with law and the Authority’s goals and policies.
• Preparation of litigation strategy and evidence.
• Presentation of evidence at arbitrations, administrative proceedings, and disciplinary conferences and trials.
• Knowledge of the statutory framework of labor relations in New York, including knowledge of New York State Civil Service Law, Administrative Law, and Taylor Law.
• Knowledge of OATH practice, arbitration, and labor administrative tribunals and their practices.
• Prioritize the heavy workload and demands of the Labor Relations department as well, to present cases to further the goals of the Authority.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an accredited Law School is required.
• Admitted to practice law in the State of New York is required.
• Minimum of 6 years of legal experience with primary emphasis on litigation and/or labor relations.