Assistant General Counsel

AC Transit is currently seeking candidates for the position of Assistant General Counsel. Under administrative direction, this position, performs highly complex and responsible, professional legal work for the District; manages the day-to-day operations of the Legal department within the Office of the General Counsel; responsible for oversight and management of programs as required by the General Counsel; oversees completion of legal work performed by retained outside counsel; serves as department head in the absence of the General Counsel. This is an at-will unrepresented classification. 

This is an excellent opportunity to work for the largest bus agency in California, make a difference in our local community, and promote AC Transit as a great employer of the East Bay.  In addition to working with some of the best in the business, AC Transit also has an excellent benefits package that includes pension, medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending, and 457 savings plan.  

• Provides comprehensive legal services to internal departments of the District as directed by the General Counsel and, when necessary, to the Board of Directors; performs or directs the development of legal strategy; prepares or directs the preparation of briefs, pleadings, motions and arguments; performs or directs the conduct of discovery and depositions in preparation for litigation; files motions and briefs; represents or directs representation of the District in litigation and administrative proceedings.
• Assesses risk and/or exposure of administrative and management problems to ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws and the District's policies and procedures.
• Provides leadership to assigned staff; selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; develops, mentors and guides staff in achieving goals and objectives; coaches and develops employees; provides constructive feedback on performance and behaviors; reviews and evaluates work; counsels and handles personnel actions as needed; works to strengthen the District through improving morale, team building and implementation of programs to develop and train employees.
• Assists in manages, develops, and administers the department's annual budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of, and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments, as needed.
• Oversees the work of professional legal staff; manages case assignment and acts as a resource to the department's litigators.
• Directs the data collection, and analyses on a variety of studies, surveys, needs assessments, and cost benefits analyses to improve service performance and efficiency of the department..
• Reviews, analyzes and may draft resolutions, administrative regulations, procedures, contracts, and other legal instruments.
• Directs the work of outside retained counsel to represent or represents the District in litigation proceedings, including all phases of pretrial, trial and appellate work.
• Prepares legal opinions at the request of the General Counsel.
• Handles complex advisory matters up to and including litigation.
• May handle personal injury lawsuits, including trial.
• Represents the District in administrative hearings, legislative hearings and civil litigation matters.
• May negotiate on behalf of the District at the direction of the General Counsel.
• Confers with and assists other District departments in establishing departmental policies and procedures consistent with established legal principals andthe District's policies and procedures.
• May participate in labor negotiations in the absence of General Counsel.
• Prepares a variety of periodic and special reports related to the Legal Department Counsel activities and legal cases.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of law and other services as they relate to the area of assignment.
• Monitors proposed legislation and court decisions related to the District and/or public sector law and activities; evaluate their impact on District operations and recommends appropriate actions.
• Exercises considerable discretionary judgment in determining legal, administrative and management strategies.
• May be required to temporarily replace or act in the position of the General Counsel, and may be required to perform some or all of the General Counsel's essential functions in such situations.
• Performs related duties as required.

Education: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited school of law.

Experience: Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional legal experience in public sector law in either private practice or with a public entity, including two (2) years of experience in a supervisory capacity.

License and Certification(s): Possession of an active membership, in good standing, with the State Bar of California. 

Special Environmental Conditions: (1) Must be able to travel throughout the Bay Area for meetings, trials, hearings, depositions, arbitrations and mediations. (2) Must be able to attend meetings outside regular business hours.

Special Requirements: Experience in personal injury cases, employment law/labor relations, experience in transit or other public/government entity, contract law and supervision or management of attorneys and support staff.

Physical Requirements: Must maintain the physical condition necessary to: (1) perform tasks in an office setting operating a personal computer, keyboards, and other peripheral equipment; and (2) possess physical mobility in order to attend off-site meetings, trials, hearings, and negotiations.

• Medical - Choice of two Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs):  Kaiser Permanente and Health Net. $10.00 office visit co-pays; $5.00 - $35.00 prescription co-pays.
• Dental – MetLife Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) $50 annual deductible per person/$150 per family; $3,000 per person annual maximum; preventative care covered at 100%; basic and major care covered at 90%; $4,000 lifetime maximum orthodontia covered at 50%. 
• Vision - Vision Service Plan - $10.00 copay; eligible for an exam, lenses, frames or contact lenses every 12 months – based on the last date of service. $200 frame allowance or $120 allowance for contact lenses. 
• Employer paid Basic Life Insurance 
• Employee paid Voluntary Term Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health Care, Dependent Care, Parking, Transit
• AC Transit contributes up to $50.00/month towards an employee’s FSA Transit costs
• Free AC Transit Bus Pass
• Federal Credit Union
• Vacation and Sick Leave or Personal Time Off
• Ten (10) paid holidays; 2 paid floating holidays; 1 paid birthday holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement – up to $2500 per fiscal year on approved courses
• Wellness Program