Description:

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.

Summary:
This posting is for a counsel who provides support to the Deputy General Counsel/Unit Chief and Senior Associate Counsels. The individual has extensive knowledge of Federal, State and Local laws. Senior and middle management may refer to this counsel for legal guidance. The attorney should possess significant expertise in procurement, contracting, transactional and commercial related legal matters so as to protect and preserve MTA's legal interests. The position will work collaboratively with the MTAHQ procurement, IT and other user departments to efficiently and cost-effectively facilitate the procurement, sourcing and other business processes that are critical to MTA's operations.

Responsibilities:
  • Provide legal advice and counsel to MTAHQ procurement, IT and other user departments including advice on legal and business risks. The attorney will make recommendations on policy, procedures, and general legal matters.
  • Review, analyze, draft and, as appropriate, negotiate a broad variety of procurement contracts and licenses, including related bid and request for proposal documents.
  • Provide legal and business advice with regard to enterprise-wide contract negotiations for goods, services and public works, including hardware, software, open source, data, technology, equipment, telecommunications, facilities, outsourcing, professional services and consulting agreements.
  • Provide legal support in other practice areas in support of MTA's mission, including proposed and enacted legislation, contractor responsibility, corporate issues and state and federal rules and regulations, and litigation as required.
  • Pro-actively advise appropriate parties of changes in the law, interpretations, and recent court rulings which may impact the practice areas and matters with which the counsel is involved.
  • The attorney will assist in the business goals of the MTAHQ Legal Dept. in whatever manner as required by the General Counsel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • The attorney will often have to work under pressure and deadlines and needs to be able to prioritize projects and to be open to suggestions and ideas.
  • Attention to detail. Excellent negotiating, drafting, and practice-management skills and business judgment. Ability to identify creative, business-oriented solutions to legal and business risks.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently on contract negotiations or other transactions of significant size and complexity.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and clients in a fast-paced environment.
  • Confidence dealing with senior management and sophisticated vendors. Proven capability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
  • Strong interpersonal, analytical, problem solving, organizational, drafting and communication skills and demonstrated ability to work on a multi-disciplinary team.

Education and Experience:
  • Must be admitted to practice in New York State. Must possess a law degree from an accredited law school and have excellent academic credentials.
  • The attorney must possess a minimum of five years of experience in procurement, general corporate, and/or transactional matters. Such prior experience should include, substantial experience working on IT related sourcing, professional services and consulting agreements.
  • Pertinent experience drafting and negotiating contracts under NY law. Knowledge of and experience with NYS Public procurement law preferred.