Description

JOB TITLE: Attorney (Claims, Tort, and Litigation)

JOB GRADE: 15

DIVISION: Administration 
LEVEL IN ORGANIZATION: Upper Management 

FLSA STATUS: Managerial
SAFETY STATUS: Non-Safety Sensitive

REPORTS TO: General Counsel/Senior Vice President Legal Services

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK:
Responsible for legal work involving research, professional judgement, legal opinions, and tort 
litigation in District Court, County Court, and Justice of the Peace Court. May be assigned to 
perform any legal work needed, although assignments are usually of a specialized type. Required to 
provide strategic legal advice on liability exposure and facilitate minimizing legal, operational, 
and financial risks for the transit system.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Represents VIA in specified litigation matters, working collaboratively with Risk Management and, 
when engaged, outside counsel.
Manages all VIA tort and special litigation and coordinates the assignment of cases to outside 
counsel as appropriate.
Prepares, drafts, and reviews a wide variety of legal documents and instruments, including 
pleadings and motions, discovery responses, medical analyses, legal opinions, contracts, 
agreements, and other legal documents.
Performs all phases of discovery including written discovery, prepares and deposes witnesses and 
expert witnesses, and collects legal and medical research.
Assists in the implementation of pre-litigation strategies in coordination with General Counsel, 
Risk Management, and outside counsel in preparation for participation in litigation matters 
representing VIA's interests in hearings, mediations, and court trials.
Participates in or advises participants in hearings.
Assists  Risk  Management/Safety  in  the  development,  review,  and  interpretation  of 
accident/incident reports.
Provides legal counsel and guidance on behalf of General Counsel to VIA staff attorneys, VIA Board 
of Trustees, and other VIA departments as required on other legal matters as assigned.
Assists in resolving Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues or concerns to ensure compliance.
Assists Human Resources with benefit related matters, including Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), 
Worker's Compensation, and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO) to ensure compliance with 
settlement agreements, state laws, federal laws, and plan requirements.
Performs legal research and legal writing.
Provides briefings and updates to General Counsel, Senior Executives, and the members of the VIA 
Board of Trustees.
Attends VIA/ATD board meetings as required.
This job description excludes marginal functions that are incidental to performing the job. Other 
duties may exist.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) degree, license to practice law in the State of Texas, and at least 
five (5) years' experience in public law and tort litigation, or equivalent combination.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to research, reach independent judgements, and advise management of the most advantageous 
course in view of statutes, regulations, contracts, and case law.
Ability to draft complex legal documents, including but not limited to contracts, agreements, and 
legal opinions ensuring accuracy, clarity, and compliance with laws and regulations.
Ability to manage outside counsel and multiple, complex caseloads.
Ability to read, understand, and analyze complex legal material, including but not limited to 
statutes, regulations, contracts, and case law.
Ability to maintain and exhibit honesty, integrity, and high ethical standards while upholding 
fiduciary obligations and safeguarding sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms, supported by strong research, 
writing, and organizational skills.
Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to convey 
effectively  with  internal  personnel,  outside  counsel,  VIA  Board  of  Trustees,  Senior 
Management/Executive Management teams, and external clients when providing legal advice, 
participating in meetings, counseling, and presenting complex legal matters in a clear and 
professional manner.
Excellent analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Must know the principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research. Must be 
intelligenUindustrious.
Must be able to maintain good work attendance. Safety Accountability Statement:
-  Employees must consider safety in all tasks performed, as well as demonstrate safe judgment and 
decisions that not only maintain their own safety; but that of fellow employees and customers.
-  Demonstrate a professional commitment to assure compliance with all organizational policies, 
practices, and programs related to safety, health, and system security.
-  Employees have a responsibility to identify and report hazards, as well as potentially unsafe 
conditions, to your immediate supervisor or Safety Department.
-  Employees are responsible, and required, to stop a job/task to prevent an unsafe incident or act 
from occurring. This acknowledges the threat of potential injury, property damage and the 
opportunity for better judgment to be used.

Must comply with and support all applicable VIA EEO Policies and Procedures.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Physical ability required to be mobile, bend, stoop, stand, reach, and occasionally lift 5-25 
pounds of objects, such as files, equipment and supplies, and books.
Position requires sitting, standing, and ability to move within VIA facility and to attend off 
property work related business.
WORK ENVIRONMENTS:
Work involves deadlines and multiple priorities. Works within normal office environment.

Requirements

Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) degree, license to practice law in the State of Texas, and at least 
five (5) years' experience in public law and tort litigation, or equivalent combination.