Associate Counsel, Litigation - Commercial Litigation (Affirmative Unit)
Job ID: 15221
Business Unit: MTA Headquarters
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Department: Torts
Date Posted: Apr 6, 2026
Description
JOB TITLE:
Associate Counsel, Litigation - Commercial Litigation (Affirmative Unit)
SALARY RANGE:
$109,816 - $137,270
DEPT/DIV:
Legal
SUPERVISOR:
Senior Associate Counsel, Affirmative Unit, Commercial Litigation Division
LOCATION:
130 Livingston St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
HOURS OF WORK:
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
This position is eligible for telework. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation's largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.
Summary:
The Associate Counsel, Litigation position reports to a Deputy General Counsel or Assistant Deputy General Counsel in a Litigation and Administration Division or the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) Division, the Executive Director of the Transit Adjudication Bureau (TAB), or the Director of the No-Fault Unit in the consolidated MTA Legal Department. The current Litigation and Administration Divisions are the: 1) Commercial Litigation Division, 2) eDiscovery and FOIL Division, 3) Labor and Employment Division, 4) Pension and Employee Benefits Division, 5) General Law Division, and 6) Administration Division.
Depending on the needs of the Legal Department, the Division, TAB, or the No-Fault Unit, the duties of the Associate Counsel include representing the MTA and its operating agencies in litigation matters and other disputes. The duties of the Associate Counsel include providing legal counsel on statutory, regulatory, and agency policy matters, as well as other matters that pertain to or affect the operations and functions of the MTA and its affiliates and subsidiaries. The litigation and counseling duties of the Associate Counsel are of increasing complexity and involve increasing levels of responsibility and independence. The Associate Counsel will practice in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies on a wide variety of matters.
Associate Counsel - Levels I, II, and III
Join the MTA Legal team as an Associate Counsel and play a key role in providing legal representation and support on a wide range of matters. Depending on level, responsibilities include:
Level I: Assist senior attorneys with contract reviews, negotiations, and transactional support; conduct legal research; draft routine agreements; and manage deadlines across assigned matters. Gain exposure to corporate transactions, regulatory compliance, and policy issues under the guidance of experienced counsel.
Level II: Provide legal representation on matters of ordinary to moderate complexity. Review and draft contracts, support negotiations, conduct legal research, and assist with dispute resolution and litigation tasks. Work with regular supervision while managing deadlines and contributing to diverse legal matters.
Level III: Handle a demanding docket of matters with moderate complexity and significant sensitivity. Review and draft moderately complex contracts, lead negotiations, advise on agency policies, and participate in dispute resolution. Supervise junior attorneys on select matters and work closely with internal clients to identify and mitigate legal risks.
Responsibilities:
Associate Counsel - Level I
Provide legal representation and counsel to the MTA on assigned Matters of ordinary complexity.
Work with direct supervision from the Deputy General Counsel, direct supervisor, or more senior attorneys in the division.
Responsible for moderately busy docket of Matters of ordinary sensitivity and with modest financial and policy exposure.
Matters assigned may include single counterparty proceedings before administrative tribunals and in state court, including basic Article 75 and 78 proceedings and position statements.
Assist more senior attorneys during witness interviews, investigations, depositions, arguments, hearings, and trials.
Identify basic legal issues and understand routine business processes as they relate to assigned Matters.
Conduct legal research regarding a wide range of issues and clearly convey conclusions and recommendations.
Produce clear and organized written work product, including correspondence and memoranda to supervisors and clients, pleadings, discovery requests and responses, motion papers, legal briefs, settlement authorization requests and agreements, pension plan documents, litigation hold notices, and other legal documents.
Assist the Deputy General Counsel, direct supervisor, or other senior attorneys in providing in-house legal counsel on non-litigation Matters, including statutory, regulatory, and internal agency policy issues, collections and toll violation enforcement issues, and pension and employee benefits issues.
Respond clearly, effectively, and in a timely manner regarding requests from supervisors, clients, and courts or administrative tribunals.
Independently manage deadlines in all assigned matters.
Perform other duties as assigned by the MTA General Counsel, Agency General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, or direct supervisor.
In addition to meeting Level I expectations, a Level II Associate Counsel assignment requires the demonstrated ability to perform most or all of the following:
Associate Counsel - Level II
Provide excellent legal representation and counsel to the MTA on assigned Matters of ordinary to moderate complexity.
Work effectively with regular supervision from the Deputy General Counsel, direct supervisor, or more senior attorneys in the division.
Handle assigned matters that include single counterparty proceedings in federal court.
Efficiently gather information and materials from across the agencies relevant to litigation and non-litigation Matters.
Make and defend ordinary discovery motions and motions to dismiss.
Defend depositions of non-party MTA witnesses and conduct statutory hearings of claimants.
Appear in state and federal trial-level courts for preliminary and discovery conferences and to argue ordinary discovery motions and motions to dismiss.
Review and summarize proposed and new legislation and regulations.
Support the Deputy General Counsel, direct supervisor, or senior attorneys in interactions with regulators.
Evaluate settlement options and make recommendations to Deputy General Counsel or direct supervisor.
Assist in the preparation of Board-related materials, including minutes of proceedings.
In addition to meeting Level II expectations, a Level III Associate Counsel assignment requires the demonstrated ability to perform most or all of the following:
Associate Counsel - Level III
Provide excellent legal representation and counsel to the MTA on assigned Matters of moderate complexity.
Handle a heavy or demanding docket of Matters, including matters of significant sensitivity and financial and policy exposure.
Identify nuanced legal issues and understand complex business issues as they relate to assigned Matters.
Handle Matters that include multiple counterparties.
Make and defend summary judgment motions and motions made on an expedited or emergency basis.
Argue discovery, procedural, and dispositive motions.
Produce written work product that is sophisticated, thorough, and, where appropriate, persuasive.
Defend MTA party witness depositions and take depositions of plaintiffs and non-party witnesses.
Engage in settlement discussions with the approved authority.
Participate in trial preparation, including drafting joint pre-trial orders, motions in limine, and jury instructions. Participate in trials and appeals under the direction of more senior attorneys.
Provide in-house legal counsel on non-litigation Matters independently regarding routine issues and with supervision on more complex issues.
Review and advise the client regarding proposed new agency policies, rules, and procedures.
Establish strong and collaborative relationships with internal clients and successfully communicate complex legal issues.
Identify legal risks and communicate them to internal clients or the Deputy General Counsel or supervisor where appropriate.
At times, supervise the work of other attorneys on Matters staffed with multiple lawyers or on Matters assigned to less experienced attorneys.
Education and Experience:
Levels I-III
Depending on the Matter assigned, the Associate Counsel may be asked to work productively with:
MTA Legal Department Deputy General Counsel and all MTA Legal Department professional and administrative staff.
MTA Departments and Units/Offices, including Accessibility, Audit, Communications, Compliance/Ethics, Diversity and Civil Rights, Finance, Information Technology, Labor Relations, People, Procurement, Strategic Initiatives, and System Safety.
Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, and senior staff at New York City Transit, Metro-North Railroad, Long Island Rail Road, Bridges and Tunnels, and Construction and Development.
Federal, State, or local administrative agencies.
Office of the MTA Inspector General.
MTA's labor partners.
Level I :
Required Education and Experience
JD from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in New York. A recent law school graduate who has taken the New York Bar but not yet been admitted to practice in New York may serve in the position at Level 1 for a period not to exceed one year.
Required Competencies
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong legal research and writing ability.
Knowledge base and practice skills relating to the various practice areas and responsibilities of this position.
Levels I I-III (In addition to the above):
Required Education and Experience
A minimum of 1 year of relevant law firm or in-house experience.
R equired Competencies
Demonstrated knowledge base and practice skills relating to the various practice areas and responsibilities of this position.
Preferred Experience
Public sector legal experience, particularly in New York City or New York State. Transportation sector experience.
Other Information
May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)
May be assigned to work at any MTA Legal Department location.
May be assigned or reassigned to any MTA Legal Department Division, Bureau, or Unit or be required to handle Matters in any Division, Bureau, or Unit.
Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.
According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission").
Equal Employment Opportunity
MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.
The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.
