Assistant General Counsel in Boston, Massachusetts at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Employment and Labor Counsel will provide day-to-day legal counsel, representation, and support to MassDOT and the MBTA in the areas of employment and labor law and will represent the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the MBTA in employment litigation.

• Provide legal advice and counsel in the areas of employment and labor law, which will have a significant impact on MassDOT and the MBTA.
• Provide legal counsel and advice on complex litigation matters.
• Investigate complex Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) claims for both MassDOT and the MBTA and respond to complex federal and state MCAD, EEO, Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Labor Relations (DLR) and other agency charges and complaints.
• Represent MassDOT and the MBTA in complex litigation in courts and before state and federal administrative agencies, which will have a significant impact on MassDOT and the MBTA.
• Represent MassDOT in labor arbitrations.
• Communicate with representatives of other agencies and collaborate with cross-agency teams and stakeholders to share information, resolve issues, and develop or implement new programs.
• Draft new policies and regulations or amendments to existing policies and regulations based on legal research and agency needs to streamline agency practices, support operational efficiencies, and ensure agency compliance with laws, which will have a significant impact on MassDOT and the MBTA.
• Support, prepare and handle discovery and depositions in complex agency and court matters.
• Handle negotiations, mediations, and alternative dispute resolution of employment-related matters.
• Prepare reports on case status, exposure, and dispositions, which may include sensitive and confidential personnel information.
• Accountable for maintaining data in case management system on a timely and complete basis.
• Work in close collaboration with the MassDOT and MBTA labor relations to ensure consistent, uniform, and effective discipline administration across all departments.
• Provide legal advice and counsel to MassDOT and MBTA labor relations on collective bargaining related matters. Participate in the development of contract proposals and provide guidance as necessary in collective bargaining negotiations, including, with respect to MassDOT, advice and counsel regarding labor law matters arising under Chapter 150E.
• Provide counsel to MassDOT and MBTA employment and labor professionals in a confidential capacity.
• Maintain awareness of legal developments and changes in employment and labor law.
• Review and employment-related policies and procedures.
• Respond to notices, subpoenas, summons, unfair labor practice charges, demand letters, and other correspondence that require legal action in the employment and human resources arena.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Adhere to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Assist outside counsel providing support to the Agency on labor and employment matters.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Supervision

• No direct reports.

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution.
• Membership in good standing with the Massachusetts Bar, including annual registration and certification by the Board of Overseers.
• Two (2) years of experience providing employment and labor law advice and handling employment litigation matters, including experience practicing before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or Massachusetts and Federal courts.
• Ability to oversee the work of law firms functioning as outside counsel.
• Ability to manage and prioritize a high-volume workload.
• Effective organizational, analytical and confidentiality skills.
• Ability to use Word, Excel, or Database applications.
• Excellent customer service, presentation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work with a diverse workforce.
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

• None.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Four (4) years of relevant legal experience, law firm experience, and experience representing large public agencies or other organizations.
• Six (6) years or more of relevant legal experience, law firm experience, and experience representing large public agencies or other organizations.