Senior Legal Counsel

Seattle, WA, United States

Salary range is $130k to $230k, with a midpoint of $180k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.

Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.

Employee Assistance Program.

Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).

Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.

Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.

Pet Insurance.

ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.

Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.

Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

General Purpose

Under general direction, the Senior Legal Counsel provides professional senior level legal counsel to the Agency on a variety of highly complex legal matters, focusing primarily on labor and employment issues, but also including municipal law and other legal matters pertaining to Sound Transit; has independent decision making responsibility for assigned legal matters; negotiates, drafts and approves agreements; comments on proposed legislation; prepares or reviews legal documents; represents the Agency in litigation; and provides specific and strategic legal advice directly to senior management and board members on significant legal matters that affect the overall Agency. Provides support to the General Counsel on miscellaneous matters.

Essential Functions

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Provides legal advice and counsel to Agency senior management on complex legal matters including the legal implications of any action, inaction, or decision; and develops legal strategies and creative solutions to problems that balance potential legal risk with business interests.

Perform legal research and analysis in support of legal department advice and counsel to the Agency on a variety of labor and employment legal matters including issues related to the ADA, FMLA, state and federal wage and hour laws, state and federal employment discrimination statutes, FLSA, equal pay, diversity, drug-free workplace, labor relations and contract negotiations, employee discipline and termination, whistleblower complaints, wrongful discharge claims, drafting employment agreements and policies, and other labor and employment law matters.

Provide representation before state and federal administrative agencies, including the EEOC, state and local human rights agencies, the Department of Labor, other labor and employment related agencies, as well as in mediations and arbitrations for both represented and non-represented employees.

Prepares, reviews, and approves a variety of complex Agency agreements including settlement agreements.

Advises the Board through reports, motions and resolutions; and advises and briefs the Board in executive and public session.

Prepares, drafts, and/or revises legal documents, including letters, memos, briefs, opinions, resolutions, motions, policies, draft legislation and other complex legal documents.

Manages Agency litigation; supervises assigned outside legal counsel; and represents the Agency in mediations and at trial.

Reviews new and existing statutes and regulations that may affect the Agency; advises staff on the impact of new or existing statutes and regulations; assists in policy and legislative development; provides recommendations to senior management; and testifies before the State Legislature on Sound Transit’s behalf.

Develops a strong knowledge of Sound Transit’s operation, including upcoming legal and business challenges; and remains aware of the political and business climate in which Sound Transit must operate.

Ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; and ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.

Provides support to the General Counsel as directed; serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.

Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.

Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.

It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.

It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate Degree. Ten years of increasingly responsible relevant substantive legal experience in labor and employment law in a law firm or in-house legal department, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses Or Certifications

Washington State Bar License or bar license from another state, with the expectation of obtaining Washington Bar license within 6 months of employment.

Required Knowledge And Skills

Operations, services and activities of a legal services program.

Methods and techniques of negotiating legal issues, contracts and agreements.

Methods and techniques of legal research.

Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.

Legal precedents and court decisions impacting litigation.

State and federal court trial and appellate practice rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.

Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Managing the work of outside counsel.

Negotiating with other parties.

Working with internal and external team to develop negotiation approach and objectives.

Defining legal issues, collecting and analyzing information, and recommending action.

Properly interpreting and making decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies.

Applying legal principles to novel situations.

Preparing a variety of clear and concise legal documents including letters, memos, briefs, and other legal documents.

Developing and implementing practical legal approaches that responsibly evaluate and balance legal risks with project demands.

Conducting research on legal problems and preparing sound legal opinions.

Analyzing and synthesizing information in a concise manner, developing and making recommendations on strategies, and communicating recommendation to appropriate individuals within and outside the agency.

Operating office equipment including computers and supporting word processing.

Managing multiple projects concurrently.

Managing multiple tasks, setting objectives/goals, and re-prioritizing as needed.

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Applying advanced principles and practices of technical area of expertise.

Applying strong interpersonal techniques and demonstrating a consistent commitment and ability to work with diverse work groups and individuals.

Demonstrating a positive customer service orientation with both internal and external clients.

Applying appropriate oral and written communication techniques to various individuals ranging from Agency employees, the general public, elected officials, community leaders, and local, state, and federal agencies.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

Work is performed in a standard office environment.

The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

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