The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of
the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State’s legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland’s 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness.
The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is a state agency responsible for financing, constructing, maintaining, and operating Maryland’s toll facilities, including highways, bridges and tunnels. Since the tragic allision and collapse of the Key Bridge, MDTA has engaged in a progressive-design build procurement process to secure a vendor for Phase 1 design and early work packages for pre-construction and demolition. The MDTA continues to coordinate with State and federal partners on funding, environmental reviews, and permits.
Responsibilities
The Deputy Principal Counsel regularly advises the MDTA Board on corporate governance issues including compliance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act. This position also serves as a legal advisor to the MDTA Police regarding compliance with laws, updates to policies, training, and police disciplinary matters. This position will provide advice related to the Key Bridge Rebuild, contracting for Phase 2 construction, and coordination with assistant counsel to represent the State and MDTA in pending federal litigation. Additionally, this position advises on complex financial issues and in coordination with assistant bond counsel serves as the issuer’s counsel for tax-exempt toll revenue bonds. The Deputy Principal Counsel advises the MDTA on issues related to tolling, toll collections, E-ZPass matters, complex litigation, public-private partnerships (P3s), and Project Labor Agreements (PLAs).
Deputy Principal Counsel supervises and oversees all legal work at MDTA. The MDTA attorneys also represent the agency in all related litigation matters in the state and federal courts and administrative tribunals. The Deputy Principal Counsel will confer with the attorneys on the substance and strategy of their work while handling their own docket of advice, transactional matters and/or litigation. The Deputy Principal Counsel will provide regular feedback to staff regarding their performance and encourage a high-level of collaboration, productivity, teamwork, moral and professionalism among staff.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of eight years of experience, including significant experience with State or public procurement, finance and land acquisition/real estate matters. Maryland Bar required.
Application Process
Interested persons should submit their resume with a cover letter, writing sample, and list of references via email to Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Principal Counsel Christopher L. Fontaine at cfontaine@mdot.maryland.gov with a copy to Office Manager Christina Ackerman at cackerman1@mdot.maryland.gov. Please write “MDTA Deputy Principal Counsel” in the subject of the email.
