Florida East Coast Railway is seeking an experienced Corporate Counsel to support the company’s legal affairs and lead its risk management initiatives under the direction of the General Counsel. This role requires a strong command of transportation law, regulatory advisory, litigation oversight, and enterprise risk mitigation—including oversight of freight claims. The Corporate Counsel will serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and operational teams, helping ensure legal integrity and reduce liabilities across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisory

• Provide proactive legal guidance on matters involving real estate, environmental law, labor and employment, and commercial contracts.
• Advise on legal and regulatory matters affecting operations, including those governed by the FRA, STB, DOT, and OSHA, in coordination with the company’s compliance and safety teams.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, leases, procurement agreements, and service-level agreements.
• Monitor and advise on changes in transportation and infrastructure law affecting company operations.
• Deliver legal training to internal teams focused on risk reduction, operational hazards, and legal exposure mitigation.
• Support transactional matters as needed, including real estate, financing, and corporate governance.

Risk Management Oversight

• Lead the company’s enterprise risk management program by identifying, assessing, and mitigating operational and legal risks.
• Oversee the procurement and administration of commercial insurance policies, claims management (including freight claims), and loss prevention programs.
• Manage relationships with insurers, brokers, and third-party risk partners.

Litigation Management

• Coordinate and oversee litigation involving personal injury (including FELA), property damage, employment, and real estate matters.
• Collaborate with outside counsel on strategy, budgeting, discovery, and settlement negotiations.
• Maintain litigation tracking systems and develop executive-level risk reports.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of at least one U.S. State Bar, preferably The Florida Bar.
• Minimum of 7 years of legal experience, ideally within transportation, logistics, infrastructure, or other regulated industries.
• Demonstrated expertise in litigation, regulatory advisory, and risk management.
• Familiarity with relevant railroad and transportation statutes and regulations such as FELA, FRSA, ICCTA, ADA, NEPA, CERCLA, and the Code of Federal Regulations.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to operate independently while supporting multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Class I, Class II, or short-line railroad operations.
• Knowledge of environmental and land use regulatory frameworks.
• Understanding of enterprise risk programs, freight claims handling, and insurance portfolio structures.
• Strong business judgment and ability to align legal strategy with operational objectives.