Senior Legal Intern (Office of General Counsel)

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, and culture. 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.

The Office of the General Counsel for MassDOT and the MBTA is seeking interns for the upcoming term. Working with an attorney supervisor, interns will have the opportunity to develop their legal writing and research skills, gain substantive knowledge, and learn about the practice of law in the transportation, government, and in-house settings. While students will primarily work with one supervising attorney, there will be opportunities for interns to work with other attorneys within the Office of the General Counsel to get exposure to multiple practice areas.

Applicants should have already completed at least the first year of juris doctorate law school (and are still currently enrolled or preparing for their Bar Exam), have strong academic credentials, excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational skills, ability to collaborate, and are detail oriented.

We are looking to hire five (5) interns, who will work at least 2 – 3 days in-office (40 hours per week) for at least three (3) months, depending on academic credit requirements. The Office of the General Counsel is located at 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116.

This position is paid at $24.00 - $28.00 / hour (depending on education and experience). Interns can also receive academic credit through their school’s externship programs (interns must apply and be accepted to an externship program separately through their school for this option).

A cover letter indicating practice area of interest is required to be uploaded as part of the application.

The Office of the General Counsel for MassDOT and the MBTA is structured into four Practice Area Groups: Commercial Transactions, Employment and Labor, Corporate and Regulatory, and Litigation. Summaries of each Practice Area Group are below.

Commercial Transactions: All matters related to numerous and complex commercial transactions undertaken by both MassDOT and the MBTA which include reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and interpreting contracts and other legal documents. Transactions include contracts, procurements, complex real estate development projects, developing complex solicitations and contracts, identifying risks and risk allocation and mitigation solutions; and the representation of MassDOT and MBTA in administrative hearings, bid protests, mediations, and other contract dispute resolution proceedings. Commercial Transactions COE includes the following practice areas: Contracts and Procurements; Capital Delivery-Construction; Alternative Project Delivery; Contract Dispute Resolution; Real Estate; Environmental; and Risk Management.

Employment and Labor: All matters related to employment and labor, including legal advice in employment and labor-related matters; drafting and revising employment-related policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal law; conducting employment-related investigations; representing the MBTA and MassDOT before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; representing the MassDOT in labor arbitrations and before the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations; representing the MBTA in employment-related litigation in state and federal court; and responding to complaints and requests for information from state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Labor. Employment and Labor COE includes the following practice areas: Administrative Proceedings; Employment and Labor Counseling and Advice; Employment Litigation Employment Related Investigations; Employment and Human Resource Policies and Procedures; and Labor Arbitration.

Corporate and Regulatory: All matters related to the corporate governance and regulatory compliance of both MassDOT and the MBTA, including policies related to advertising and signage; internal and outside audits, investigations and reports; fares and tolls including fare and toll changes and driver and rider data privacy; finance, including bond issuance, reporting and disclosures; the evaluation and drafting of state legislation and regulation; public records and records retention issues; compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations applicable to MassDOT and/or the MBTA. Corporate and Regulatory COE includes the following practice areas: Advertising; Audits and Investigations; Fares and Tolls; Finance, Bond/Disclosure; Governance and Board; Interagency Agreements; Legislation; Public Records; Regulatory Compliance; and State Ethics.

Litigation: All matters related to litigation filed by or against MassDOT and the MBTA including tort, employment, and commercial contract, and eminent domain litigation in state and federal courts. Litigation COE includes the following practice areas: Business and Contract Litigation; Bid Protest Litigation; Eminent Domain and other disputes involving Real Property; Insurance Subrogation; Tort Matters involving Personal Injury and Property Damage; and Accident and Other Cost Recovery Litigation.

• Support and participate in a variety of administrative tasks related to assigned practice area group.
• Participate in team / staff meetings, organization events, fieldwork, project teams, or other duties as needed.
• Additional responsibilities may include focusing on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendums or hiring manager for department or location specific functions. 

• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

* The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position. 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.

• Enrolled, for entire duration of employment, in the Juris Doctorate degree program of an accredited college / university with the first year already being completed.
• Above average ability to communicate effectively in English, both in written and oral forms (writing sample may be requested).
• Highly organized, motivated, and have great attention-to-detail.
• Above average ability to work effectively in diverse, collaborative, fast-paced environments as well as independently.
• Ability to independently commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Authorized to work in the United States (international students in CPT, STEM, or OPT programs through a university are eligible to apply). The MBTA does not provide visa sponsorship, such as H1-B status.

* The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required.

• No substitutions.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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 may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
12. Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.