Deputy General Counsel

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The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), operator of Tri-Rail, is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as Deputy General Counsel. This is a unique opportunity to play a key advisory role within a regional transportation authority that connects communities across South Florida.

Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel assists in providing legal advice and representation to the Governing Board and Executive Director on a broad range of matters impacting agency governance, operations, compliance, and risk management. Responsibilities include addressing complex legal issues related to procurement, Florida’s Public Records Law and Sunshine Law, insurance, real estate, litigation, human resources, contract administration, and legislation.

The Legal Department works collaboratively with agency staff and consultants, supporting the Authority’s mission to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable commuter rail service throughout the region.

Essential functions are the primary, fundamental tasks and responsibilities of a position that are critical to the successful performance of the job. These are the duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, and they form the core purpose of the role.

• Legal Counsel to Leadership: Assist General Counsel with providing counsel and advice on legal matters to the Governing Board and Executive Director. Assist General Counsel with rendering routine legal advice and opinions to the Governing Board, Executive Director, and department directors as required; conduct ongoing legal research of Federal and State laws and regulations in connection with legal issues pertaining to SFRTA;
  
  prepare oral and written legal opinions.
• Litigation: Oversee outside counsel in litigation matters, including discovery.
• Outside Counsel Oversight: Assist General Counsel with the supervision of outside law firms that represent SFRTA, including coordinating and monitoring the services provided by those firms.
• Legal Document Drafting and Review: Draft various legal documents, including policies, resolutions, contracts, leases, legislation, and memoranda. Review documents as to legal form and sufficiency.
• Procurement Review: Provide legal advice on government procurement and review and comment on procurement documents.
• Legislative: Review, opine on, analyze, and draft State and Federal legislation, rules, and policies pertaining to SFRTA.
• Tort and Insurance Coordination: Assist the General Counsel in analyzing tort and other liability claims and insurance policies to determine the extent and limits of coverage and oversee outside counsel representing SFRTA. This also includes assisting the General Counsel in coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and attorneys assigned by FDOT to represent SFRTA or its contractors in the handling of tort liability claims to which SFRTA or its contractors are a party.
• Real Estate Matters: Perform legal review of real estate matters and activities of SFRTA. Assist in negotiations of transit-oriented development agreements, including long-term leases.
• Interagency Legal Coordination: Answer questions and provide information of a legal nature to other public agencies (Federal, State, County, municipal, and special districts) regarding SFRTA operations, projects, policies, and procedures, including grants.

• Staff Coordination: Coordinate efforts of staff in resolving and responding to legal matters.
• Departmental Strategy Support: Assist the General Counsel with developing and overseeing the implementation of long and short-range strategies and programs for the Legal Department.
• Board Presentations (As Requested): At the request of the General Counsel, may make recommendations and presentations to the Governing Board on matters pertaining to legal services and risk management.
• Professional Support: Work closely with and in support of the General Counsel.
• Workload and Deadline Management: Successfully manage multiple high-priority projects and meet internal and external deadlines.