Director, Corporate Law

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry counties. The agency connects communities across Northeastern Illinois by delivering safe, reliable, and efficient commuter rail service that supports the region's economic and environmental vitality.

About the Law Department

Metra's Law Department, led by the General Counsel who reports to the Board of Directors and CEO, provides legal counsel to the Board, executive leadership, and all agency departments. The department is organized into three core teams: Governance & Team Support, Corporate & Regulatory, and Litigation & Risk Management. The Ethics Officer is also part of the department.

The team is focused on proactively identifying and addressing legal and compliance risks in alignment with Metra's mission of delivering safe, efficient, and affordable transportation services.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, the Director, Corporate Law leads the Corporate Law function and oversees the delivery of legal services related to corporate governance, procurement, contracting, compliance, public records, and other public-sector legal matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Corporate Law function, ensuring effective delivery of legal services across governance, procurement, contracts, compliance, grants, and regulatory matters.
• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to executive leadership and internal stakeholders, providing strategic guidance aligned with organizational priorities.
• Oversee procurement and contracting activities, including drafting, negotiating, and interpreting complex agreements while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and funding requirements.
• Direct compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA), including managing responses, advising on exemptions, and ensuring adherence to statutory timelines.
• Conduct legal research and analysis to assess legal and operational risks and recommend appropriate courses of action.
• Manage outside counsel and oversee legal expenditures in alignment with approved budgets.
• Perform additional duties as needed to support the evolving needs of the organization.
• The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

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Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

• Must possess a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• In addition to #1, must have a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible legal experience in corporate, municipal, governmental, or highly regulated environments, including substantial experience in corporate governance, procurement, contracts, FOIA/OMA, or regulatory compliance.
• Must have a minimum of five (5) years of supervisory or management experience, which includes responsibility for hiring and on boarding, assigning and reviewing work, coaching and training employees, performance evaluation and monitoring, conflict resolution, disciplinary and/or termination processes, mentoring legal staff, managing outside counsel, and overseeing budgetary or project expenditures.
• Considerable knowledge of corporate, procurement, contract, and governance law applicable to public entities and highly regulated organizations.
• Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations affecting public-sector operations, including grant compliance and funding requirements.
• Considerable knowledge of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA), including exemptions, response obligations, and compliance standards.
• Considerable knowledge of legal research methods, techniques, and resources, including statutory interpretation, case law analysis, and regulatory guidance.
• Working knowledge of labor and employment principles as they intersect with corporate governance, policy development, and operational decision-making.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in handling confidential, sensitive, or high-risk matters while adhering to established governance and escalation standards.
• Ability to identify legal, compliance, and operational risks and proactively escalate issues involving significant financial, reputational, or enterprise-wide impact to the Deputy General Counsel.
• Ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership, internal clients, outside counsel, and other legal leaders to ensure consistent and coordinated legal positions.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage outside counsel and legal expenditures within approved budgets and oversight structures.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast paced, high demand public-sector environment and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, objectivity, and sound judgment in situations involving conflict, ambiguity, or heightened public scrutiny.
• Strong legal research, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess legal risk and develop practical, legally sound recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear and persuasive legal documents and explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to effectively represent the organization in meetings and discussions involving complex legal and contractual issues.
• Proven leadership and people management skills, including the ability to mentor, coach, and supervise attorneys and legal staff.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands and manage multiple complex matters simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications and legal research and document management systems (e.g., Westlaw or equivalent platforms).
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and in good standing with the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle.
• Must be willing to travel within Metra's 6-county region.
• Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

Preferred:

• Experience in public transportation, infrastructure, or other regulated public-sector environments is preferred.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. For general assistance, please contact talentacquisition@metrarr.com. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Reasonable Accommodations Committee at RAC@metrarr.com.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.