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How much do mta attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for mta attorney in the United States is $98,330.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,500.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by MTA Attorneys, and how can they best prepare to handle them?

MTA Attorneys often deal with complex legal issues involving public transportation regulations, contract negotiations, and labor disputes. They must navigate a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift quickly due to operational needs or emerging legal matters. To succeed, it's important to stay up-to-date on relevant laws and regulations, develop strong negotiation and communication skills, and be ready to collaborate with various internal departments and external agencies. Building a solid foundation in administrative law and public sector procedures is also highly beneficial.

What is an MTA Attorney?

An MTA Attorney is a legal professional who represents and advises the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on a wide range of legal matters. These attorneys handle issues such as contracts, labor relations, regulatory compliance, litigation, and real estate transactions. They work to ensure that the MTA operates within the bounds of the law while providing public transportation services. Their role is crucial in protecting the interests of the agency and ensuring smooth operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an MTA Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an MTA Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the state bar, and strong knowledge of transportation, administrative, and labor law. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and experience with case management systems, are typically required. Excellent negotiation, analytical thinking, and written and verbal communication skills help you manage complex cases and work collaboratively with stakeholders. These skills ensure effective legal counsel, compliance, and risk management for a large public transit organization.
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Mta Attorney jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mta Attorney job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $98,330 per year, or $47.3 per hour.
Deputy General Counsel/Unit Chief, Real Estate Development & Planning

Deputy General Counsel/Unit Chief, Real Estate Development & Planning

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

New York, NY • On-site

$192K - $240K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 7 days ago

Metropolitan Transportation Authority rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 133 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 76 rated public transport

Job description

Description
Position at MTA Headquarters
JOB TITLE:
Deputy General Counsel/Unit Chief, Real Estate Development & Planning
DEPT/DIV:
Legal
SUPERVISOR:
First Deputy General Counsel -Transactions
WORK LOCATION:
2 Broadway, New York, NY 10004
HOURS OF WORK:
9:00 am - 5:30 pm (7.5 hours/day) or as required
FULL/PART-TIME
FULL
SALARY RANGE:
$192,068 - $240,085
DEADLINE:
Until filled
This position is eligible for telework, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.
Opening:
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:
This position reports to the First Deputy General Counsel (Transactions) and is responsible for managing the Real Estate Development & Planning practice within the MTA's consolidated Legal Department, including the supervision of MTA Senior and Associate attorneys and outside counsel on relevant transactions. The position serves as principal counsel to the MTA's Transit-Oriented Development & Real Estate Planning Departments and a trusted advisor to the First Dep. General Counsel (Transactions). The position frequently collaborates with the MTA's Deputy General Counsels in other Transactional practices and advises MTA's staff and executives in a number of other legal practice areas, including public/private partnerships and project finance.
Responsibilities:
  • Manage the MTA's Real Estate Development & Planning practice and all related legal matters, including air-rights overbuild developments, infrastructure and facility expansion, property sales, leases, licenses, easements, and advertising franchises, in order to best protect the MTA's interests.
  • Provide legal advice and counsel to MTA's executives and staff in real estate development-related functions to ensure compliance with all legal requirements, maximize the benefits for the MTA and its operating agencies, and efficiently bring transactions to a successful conclusion.
  • Manage and coach the less experienced, full-time lawyers handling real estate development matters to ensure efficient and effective representation.
  • Review, analyze, draft, and negotiate a wide variety of real estate development-related contracts and documents.
  • Advise real estate development-related management regarding legal and business risks to protect MTA's interests.
  • Support the First Dep. General Counsel (Transactions) by providing him/her with legal, business, and policy advice.
  • Assist in the selection, development, and motivation of in-house professional legal staff to ensure high-quality and efficient provision of legal services that enable the MTA to decrease its reliance on outside counsel. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review the performance of staff. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
  • Represent the MTA in complex and sensitive special assignments as requested by the First Dep. General Counsel (Transactions)
  • Supervise and coordinate with outside counsel in real estate development matters.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Required for All Jobs:
  • Performs other duties as assigned
  • Complies with all policies and standards
  • May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable
  • Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable
  • Reviews invoices and approves them if the work meets contractual standards, as applicable
  • Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible, as applicable
  • Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
  • Demonstrated excellence in the practice of real estate law.
  • Demonstrated initiative and excellent judgment.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently on matters of significant size, importance, and complexity.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and clients in a fast-paced environment.
  • Prior supervisory experience over a professional legal staff.
  • Prior experience as the lead lawyer on sophisticated real estate development transactions.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Demonstrated confidence in dealing with senior management and sophisticated counter parties.
  • Proven capability to build and maintain client relationships, including contacts in the real estate development and legal fields.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within the MTA's offices and agencies, and to build and maintain intra-agency contacts.
  • Ability to communicate, collaborate, and/or negotiate with external agency counterparts, which may include Federal, State, NY City, and/or other local government agency staff and officials.
  • Strong organizational, negotiating, and drafting skills.
  • Ability to identify creative, business-oriented solutions to legal and business risks.

Required Education and Experience:
  • JD from an accredited law school
  • Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience as an attorney or comparable relevant legal and managerial experience in high-level positions at a law firm or governmental legal office, or in a private sector legal department.
  • Admission to the New York State Bar upon hire

The Following is/are preferred:
  • Budget responsibility in prior experience.
  • Familiarity with the MTA's policies and procedures

Other Information
May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)
Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.
According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission").
Equal Employment Opportunity
MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.
The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

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