Closing Date: 20th October, 2026

Description:

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA's core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary:
The Managing Counsel, Litigation is responsible for overseeing and managing all legal matters within the Litigation practice area group. As the managing counsel, this position works closely with internal departments, external counsel, and other stakeholders to effectively handle and resolve legal disputes in a timely manner.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Oversee all aspects of litigation for Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and MBTA, including but not limited to personal injury claims, property damage claims, contract disputes, eminent domain, employment-related claims, and regulatory matters.
Develop and implement legal strategies to achieve favorable outcomes while minimizing risks.
Manage a team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff engaged in assigned legal activities.
Oversee the Director of Claims and the claims staff.
Collaborate with external counsel in the selection, engagement, and management of outside legal services.
Conduct legal research and analysis to support defense strategies and provide guidance on complex legal issues.
Represent MassDOT and MBTA in court proceedings, negotiations, mediation, or arbitration hearings as needed.
Provide regular updates to senior management on the status of ongoing legal matters and advise on potential risks or opportunities.
Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including internal departments, government agencies, vendors, insurers, and external counsel.
Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.

Supervision:

Directly supervise a team of attorneys, paralegals, and Claims and other support staff.
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Admitted to practice law in the state of Massachusetts or eligibility for admission via reciprocity.
Twelve (12) years of experience practicing law with a focus on assigned legal area (Litigation, Employment, Contracts, Real Estate, etc.) management.
Seven (7) years of experience at manager and above level.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to develop creative legal strategies.
Demonstrated leadership abilities with experience managing a team of legal professionals.
Effective communication skills with the ability to convey complex legal issues clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
Proficiency in legal research, document management systems, and litigation support tools.
Ability to handle multiple cases simultaneously and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
Strong ethics and integrity with a commitment to upholding high professional standards.

Substitutions:

None

Preferred Experience & Skills
Strong understanding of Massachusetts laws pertaining to transportation-related matters.

Job Conditions:

Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
Application Completion: It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you ma