Senior Legal Counsel - Real Estate

Salary range is $140K to $240K with a midpoint of $190K. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• 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.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, the Senior Legal Counsel - Real Estate, 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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Sound Transit's legal department seeks a municipal real estate attorney. As in-house counsel to a regional transit authority, we advise the governing elected board and agency staff on complex legal matters and develop strategies and creative solutions that balance potential legal risks with agency and public interests. We work 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. Under the direction of the General Counsel, the senior legal counsel 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. Other desirable experience includes negotiation of intergovernmental agreements, MTCA cost-recovery litigation, utility relocation coordination, relocation matters, and other duties as needed. This position is intended to complement our existing team of 16 attorneys in a collegial and collaborative work environment.

The position involves a municipal real estate law focus and requires at least eight years of relevant transactional and/or litigation experience. The work requires a solid understanding of complex real property issues (including valuation), and may include acquiring property through condemnation or under threat of condemnation, structuring and negotiating real estate deals allocating fee and easement rights, transit oriented development, reviewing, drafting, and negotiating agreements with federal, state, and local governments, as well as counseling the Board and staff in implementing the requirements of the Uniform Act and Washington eminent domain law, and managing outside counsel in condemnation and environmental litigation.

Our work covers a wide range of issues. Attorneys are encouraged to grow and pursue new areas of interest as the issues and their own curiosity dictates.

• 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.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: 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); Or and equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Active membership in good standing of the Washington State Bar (or equivalent).
• Current Washington State Bar License (or obtained within 6 months of employment).

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• 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.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard hybrid office environment.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.