Deputy General Counsel

Move forward with us! At NJ TRANSIT, you'll join us in transforming the third-largest transportation agency in North America. We are committed to delivering safe, reliable service that gets customers to their destinations on time–and we're looking to hire talented folks with a commitment to excellence to make it all possible.

Right now, we are looking for a Deputy General Counsel - Employment Counseling and Litigation to join our team!

Roles and Responsibilities

Serve as the subject matter expert in all areas of U.S. federal, state (New Jersey), employment laws, including Title VII, FMLA, NJLAD, ADA, and others, to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, and state employment laws, rules and regulations

Work with internal Risk Management and advise on the merits of employment claims filed against or on behalf of the Company; including the formulation of defenses and to recommend settlements when appropriate.

Oversee and manage internal investigations related to a variety of employment matters and implement corrective action to prevent employee misconduct

Assist with the Development and review of written employment policies, guidance documents and communications

Remain up to date on changes in employment law and practice that could impact business operations, and work with business leaders to implement changes

Manage staff of attorneys advising on issues of employment law and litigation.

Perform the duties of the General Counsel in his/her absence and represents the General Counsel at external meetings, task forces, working groups or committees as needed. Coordinates activities of importance, tracks priority issues and ensures proper follow-up.

Assist General Counsel in establishing and structuring the functions of the newly created NJ TRANSIT Office of the General Counsel. Manage daily operations, develop the legal department’s budget, including use of outside counsel and hiring of additional legal staff.

Attend meetings of the Board of Commissioner’s as well as Committee meetings and ensure compliance with by-laws, New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act and board policies and procedure.

Provide legal guidance regarding records management and the response to Open Public Records Act (OPMA) requests.

Partner with internal customers to ensure agency goals are met, identifying proactive, innovative solutions to eliminate or mitigate risks while establishing process with the highest ethics and integrity. Develop and maintain productive relationships with external entities, including regulators, external counsel, and political stakeholders.

Determine the impact of evolving procurement, socioeconomic, financial, labor, environmental, ethical and other regulatory requirements, and develops standard contract documents, policies and procedures to address same. Manages team to follow these policies, procedures, ethical and regulatory requirements.

Other duties as assigned by senior management to support the mission of NJTRANSIT.

This Position Supervises:

Associate and Assistant General Counsel

Staff of attorneys advising on issues of employment law and litigation

Education, Experience and Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate (NJ) from a U.S. Department of Education accredited institution, licensed and in good standing, with 10+ years’ experience in the practice of employment law plus 5 or more years in a supervisory or management capacity overseeing legal professionals. A blend of in-house, large law firm experience and/or public sector experience preferred. First-class interpersonal and communication skills, excellent judgment and analytical skills, high degree of professional ethics, integrity and executive presence. Well-versed in the transportation/transit industry, as well as the operation of government and private industry, with strong financial acumen.

Experience directly handling and managing complex employment litigations in state and federal court including the oversight of outside counsel.

Experience handling union and labor relations, including but not limited to arbitrations, mediations and contract negotiations.

Experience representing employers before EEOC, NJ State Board of Mediation, Division of Civil Rights and other government agencies.

Knowledge and Skills

New Jersey Superior Court/District Court first chair trial experience a plus

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Law Degree – State of NJ

At NJ Transit you will enjoy a competitive salary and excellent benefit package:

Comprehensive Family Health Insurance – Prescription, Dental, Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Life Insurance

Paid Leave

401(a), 401(k) Retirement Plans - up to 9% employer contribution

Tuition Assistance

Qualified Transportation Expense Plan (QTE)

At NJ TRANSIT we support and depend upon the diversity of our staff. NJ TRANSIT is an Equal Opportunity Employer.