Deputy General Counsel, MTA Police Department

Metropolitan Transportation Authority•New York, NY

57d•Hybrid

About The Position

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. Position Objective: The Deputy General Counsel for MTA Police Department (MTAPD) is a senior-level position that will provide expert legal counsel and support on a wide range of criminal law, constitutional law, and law enforcement related matters that impact policy and program issues and initiatives of the MTA, MTA Legal, and MTAPD. The position serves as a key legal resource to command staff, officers, and department leadership, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, policie,s and procedures, while also mitigating legal risk in operational decision making in real-time. The Deputy General Counsel will provide strategic legal advice and work in partnership with the Deputy General Counsels of Labor and Employment and Commercial Litigation, and the Department of Labor and Employee Relations and MTAPD (investigations, patrol, training, and professional standards) on a wide array of legal matters. The Deputy General Counsel will also coordinate with the MTA's Criminal Justice Advocate with regard to outreach with external agencies, such as other law enforcement agencies and prosecutors' offices, to advocate for victims of crimes within the transportation system. The Deputy General Counsel will also contribute to police officer training and professional development, helping to embed a culture of legal awareness and constitutional policing throughout the MTAPD. The Deputy General Counsel will also develop and oversee polices to ensure the MTAPD's practices are lawful and comply with legal and constitutional requirements. Including advising on use-of-force issues, arrest procedures, search and seizure protocols, evidence handling, internal investigations, and the legal implications of department policies and practices. A key function of this position is to advise officers and command staff on the constitutional basis for law enforcement actions, particularly under the Fourth Amendment (search and seizure, probable cause, stop-and-frisk, warrant requirements) and the First Amendment (public demonstrations, protected speech, and the lawful limits of police engagement with expressive conduct). The individual may provide input during ongoing operations, planned enforcement activities, protests, and critical incidents—offering on-the-spot legal analysis to support sound decision-making and risk mitigation.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to provide clear, practical legal advice in high-pressure, real-time environments.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization, including the MTA Board.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact well with external agencies.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and/or external stakeholders.
Must have strong managerial skills to effectively direct a staff of professional and technical employees in implementing the short- and long-term goals and direction for the area of responsibility.
Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.
Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills.
Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
Admission to the New York State Bar.
A minimum of 10 years of related legal experience, with significant exposure to criminal law, constitutional law, or law enforcement-related legal matters.
Strong ability to communicate both in writing and verbally.
Experience in advising or working with law enforcement agencies is strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of the New York State court system, relevant laws, and regulations.
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Nice To Haves

Connecticut Bar Admission, in addition to New York State.
Familiarity with the MTA's policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice to MTAPD command staff, officers, and leadership on matters involving criminal procedure, constitutional rights, and law enforcement operations.
Collaborate with internal Legal Department units (e.g., Labor & Employment and Commercial Litigation on pending litigation and other legal matters) and with the Department of Labor and Employee Relations and MTAPD divisions (e.g., Investigations, Patrol, Training, and Professional Standards).
Coordinate with the MTA's Criminal Justice Advocate and external stakeholders, including prosecutors' offices and other law enforcement agencies, to support crime victim advocacy.
Contribute to officer training and professional development, promoting legal awareness and constitutional policing practices.
Develop and review MTAPD policies to ensure compliance with legal and constitutional standards.
Advise MTAPD on key operational issues, including but not limited to, use-of-force protocols, arrest procedures, search and seizure, evidence handling, internal investigations, etc.
Provide real-time legal guidance during planned enforcement actions, protests, and critical incidents.
Track legal developments affecting the MTAPD and draft legislative guidance.
Working with legal staff on federal and state cases involving the MTAPD.
Other tasks as assigned.