Attorney 3

Closing Date: 11th July, 2024

Description:

A Transport Operator Company is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.
A Transport Operator Company Law Department is supported by the General Counsel, who reports to Metra's Board of Directors and CEO. The department provides legal counsel to the Board, Metra's senior leadership and every department in the agency. The department is organized into three teams: Governance/Team Support, Corporate/Regulatory, and Litigation/Risk Management. Metra's Ethics Officer is a member of the department. The Law Department focuses on proactively identifying and addressing legal issues in support of Metra's mission to deliver safe, reliable, efficient, and affordable commuter rail service that enhances the economic and environmental health of Northeast Illinois.
Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the Attorney 3 is a senior level position that will provide expert legal services for corporate functions within the Law department; may be assigned core duties that involve complex compliance, contracts, employment, litigation, real estate, risk, or general corporate matters; and will be expected to provide accurate, concise, and practical legal advice to the executive team.
This position will require some specialized experience, to be identified in the position posting, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the assigned area.
The primary duties include:

• Provide advice on rights and legal responsibilities associated with various practice areas within the agency, including but not limited to corporate governance, real estate, procurement, finance and budget, ethics, investigations, and proposed and final state and federal legislation (e.g., the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Open Meetings Act (OMA), and State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.).
• Draft, prepare, negotiate, and review contracts; ensure all relevant facts and legal considerations are addressed; and review procurements to ensure compliance with established rules and regulations.
• Conduct research on questions of law; analyze municipal, state, and federal laws and regulations, related to public transportation to ensure compliance; and prepare detailed conclusions.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for the assigned practice area; provide guidance, assistance, and mentoring to Law Department employees; coordinate and utilize resources and services provided by paralegals and legal secretaries; and prepare advisory memoranda and opinions.
• The position may conduct factual and confidential investigations regarding agency business; provide responses to outside agencies on external investigations and other matters; and provide guidance and interpretation on the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.
• Coordinate team's day-to-day activities, assign tasks/projects and monitor performance, and provide guidance and training, but is not a supervisor.

Corporate Related Responsibilities

• In addition to the information above, work collaboratively with teams responsible for the agency's services that require legal guidance on various issues; and evaluate and advise on appropriate legal courses of action.
• Provide legal review and guidance on intra-railroad and intergovernmental agreements.
• Participate in long-term complex projects and contracts; complicated negotiations; and provide counsel, develop legal strategy, and risk assessments.
• Provide counsel on employment issues.
• Work collaboratively with teams responsible for the agency's services that require legal guidance on various issues; and evaluate and advise on appropriate legal courses of action.
• Work on long-term complex projects and contracts; participate in complicated negotiations; and provide counsel, develop legal strategy, and risk assessments.

Ethics Related Responsibilities

• This position may be considered for appointment to serve as Metra's Ethics Officer as contained in the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.
• These responsibilities include conducting factual and confidential investigations for internal matters; providing responses to outside agencies on external investigations and other matters; and providing guidance and interpretation on the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.
• Candidates can expect salary offers that range from the minimum to the mid-point of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges, so candidate can consider their growth potential.
• Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

Requirements:

1. A Juris Doctor degree (J.D.).
2. In addition to #1, must have five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney performing corporate transactional or litigation functions, preferably in public transportation or the railroad industry, with one or more of the following: contracts, procurement, general municipal and/or special district law, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)/Open Meetings Act, ethics, State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, Disadvantage Business Enterprise matters, litigation, or real estate.
3. Must be a licensed attorney in the State of Illinois.
4. Must register with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois.

Comprehensive knowledge of:

• standard legal concepts.
• the State of Illinois practice laws, as well as municipal, state, and federal laws and regulations related to public transportation and administration.
• procurement, real estate, and land use concepts.
• methods and techniques of legal research including computer-based legal research tools such as Westlaw or other legal research services.

Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
Excellent:

• written and oral communications, interpersonal, and organization skills to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with agency personnel and other attorneys, as well as local officials and the public.
• interviewing and investigation skills.
• research skills with extraordinary attention to detail.
• analytical skills including an understanding of how to integrate facts, law, and theory.

Ability to:

• work independently or in a team.
• lead project teams and manage multiple projects in a cost-effective manner.
• work with sensitive information while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• conduct legal research and apply learned and practical knowledge.
• analyze complex legal problems and apply legal principles and practices to determine risk.
• negotiate and draft contracts and agreements, prepare detailed and accurate legal documents, take depositions, present witnesses, and retain experts.
• lift and move up to 20 pounds.

• able to operate a vehicle and be willing to travel within and outside of Metra's 6-county region.
• available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

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