Attorney (Labor and Employee Relations)

Description

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Law Department (Authority) has a career opportunity for an experienced labor attorney to join its Manhattan-based 125 person team. Labor attorneys at the Port Authority handle arbitrations involving disciplines, improper practices and grievances arising from the collective bargaining agreements between the agency and its 23 labor unions. The job requires significant time in the appearing before arbitrators and thoughtful advocacy given the Port Authority's unique agreements with its unions.

Responsibilities:

• Excellent oral and written advocacy skills and presence before an arbitration tribunal
• Prepare cases for and manage disciplinary actions, improper practice charges and grievances at all levels and at various stages, including but not limited to investigations, discovery, hearings, and appeal, in partnership with the Labor Relations Department
• Manage significant financial, strategic, and reputational risks to the agency while eliciting input from key internal stakeholders and communicating effectively with senior management
• Give accurate and timely counsel to client departments on a variety of legal topics, offering proactive advice on possible legal issues and providing business-friendly options
• Fully able to advise on arbitration strategy and assess likelihood of prevailing in arbitration
• Able to negotiate settlements, including drafting and effectuating settlement agreements
• Ensure the Port Authority conducts its business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
• Advise the General Counsel, the First Deputy General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel, Executive Officers, Agency Chiefs, Department Directors, and other senior management on labor matters pertaining to the Port Authority
• Stay abreast of new laws, legal decisions and legislative actions that affect the Port Authority and advise senior staff of their implications

Qualifications:

Candidates must possess the following qualifications to be eligible for this position:

• Law degree from a top tier or highly regarded law school
• Member of the Bar in good standing in New York and New Jersey
• At least 5 years of litigation experience, including significant courtroom advocacy, gained through a combination of law firm and in-house or government roles of increasing visibility and responsibility.
• Detail-oriented with strong litigation, analytical, and drafting skills, accompanied by outstanding communication skills
• Proven track record to perform effectively under pressure and to reconcile conflicting priorities toward resolution
• Exercise sound judgment, with savvy approach to recognition of intersection of public, business, and political components of work
• Ability to think strategically and to act decisively regarding legal challenges facing the agency with the ability to balance and manage risk within time constraints
• Ability to take ownership of, and responsibility for, managing legal work on large, complex projects with aggressive completion deadlines
• Operate in a constantly evolving complex legal environment, while maintaining the highest ethical standards and integrity
• Ability to train and mentor attorneys with different skill levels
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Access, Excel, One Drive, Outlook, PowerPoint, Share Point, Word), Adobe Acrobat and familiarity with document/matter management systems)
• Creative problem-solver with high integrity and ethics; able to find pragmatic legal solutions to business issue
• Willingness to work collectively and ethically, in a matrixed organization, considering multiple stakeholder views
• Emphasis on professional and self-development
• Engagement among colleagues and business teams in a collegial and business-friendly manner