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Sound Transit · 6 days ago

Senior Legal Counsel - Real Estate

Seattle, WA

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$140K/yr - $240K/yr

10+ years exp

Sound Transit is a regional transit authority seeking a Senior Legal Counsel - Real Estate to provide professional senior level legal counsel on complex legal matters, particularly in eminent domain and property acquisition. The role involves negotiating agreements, preparing legal documents, and advising senior management on significant legal issues affecting the Agency.

Public TransportationRailroadTransportation

Work & Life Balance

Responsibilities

Provides professional senior level legal counsel to the Agency on a variety of highly complex legal matters, with an emphasis on eminent domain, property acquisition and relocation matters; 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

Advises the governing elected board and agency staff on complex legal matters and develops strategies and creative solutions that balance potential legal risks with agency and public interests

Works with elected officials, the Federal Transit Administration, engineers, transportation planners, and other dedicated agency staff to plan, design, build, and operate the region's high-capacity transportation system

Provides legal advice and counsel to the Agency on a variety of matters, focusing primarily on municipal law and real estate, including eminent domain and complex real estate transactions

Negotiates intergovernmental agreements, MTCA cost-recovery litigation, utility relocation coordination, relocation matters, and other duties as needed

Counsels the Board and staff in implementing the requirements of the Uniform Act and Washington eminent domain law, and manages outside counsel in condemnation and environmental litigation

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

Follows the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees

Integrates sustainability into everyday business practices

Qualification

Municipal lawReal estate transactionsEminent domainLitigation experienceLegal researchNegotiation skillsPublic speakingEffective relationshipsPolicy interpretation

Required

Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctorate Degree

Ten years experience in Washington transactional real estate, including housing and commercial developments, utility relocations, and consulting with outside counsel on matters involving real property litigation (e.g., eminent domain and MTCA cost recovery litigation)

Active membership in good standing of the Washington State Bar (or equivalent)

Current Washington State Bar License (or obtained within 6 months of employment)

Legal principles, practices, and procedures relevant to real property and municipal law

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including the Uniform Act

Advanced methods and techniques required to perform legal duties and responsibilities

Methods and techniques required to efficiently research legal issues

Relevant legal precedent and court decisions

Managing conflicting priorities

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, outside counsel, other government agencies, community groups, and the public

Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to board members, staff, and the public

Public speaking and developing and presenting ideas and concepts orally and in writing

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

Preferred

Experience in negotiation of intergovernmental agreements

Experience in MTCA cost-recovery litigation

Experience in utility relocation coordination

Experience in relocation matters

Benefits

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.