Description

Role Overview

The Senior Vice President, Law & General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer of the Association, providing legal advice and counsel to the Board of Directors and the President & Chief Executive Officer. The SVP is responsible for all matters as assigned by the Board and CEO and for the overall leadership and performance of the Law Department. In this capacity, the SVP also serves as General Counsel to AAR's wholly owned subsidiary, MxV Rail.

The Law Department provides legal, legislative, and policy support across the Association's activities, while also coordinating closely with chief legal officers and senior leadership of member railroads. The function delivers legal services, counsel, and representation to AAR and MxV Rail and plays a central role in aligning industry perspectives across a complex stakeholder environment. The SVP oversees a team that includes the corporate secretary/associate general counsel, four additional associate general counsel, and an assistant general counsel, and manages an annual budget of approximately $7.6 million.

In support of AAR's mission, the Law Department develops, coordinates, and advocates industry positions on major governmental initiatives across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. These include matters involving economic regulation, safety and operations, environmental regulation, spectrum, antitrust, tort litigation, corporate finance, and tax. The department plays a leading role in an increasingly active and strategic litigation environment, including representing AAR as a plaintiff in complex matters and expanding the Association's role in legal advocacy at both the federal and state levels. It represents the industry in judicial and administrative proceedings, supports the preparation of congressional testimony, and contributes to the drafting of legislative proposals. The department also represents the interests of AAR's U.S., Canadian, and Mexican members before government agencies and legislatures on issues related to international and cross-border transportation.

In delivering legal services to AAR and MxV Rail, the Law Department provides corporate secretary functions and guidance on a broad range of corporate and administrative matters, including tax, lobbying and gift law, insurance, privacy, employment and benefits, commercial and government contracting, and antitrust. The department monitors organizational activities to ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements, represents the Association in litigation and contract negotiations, and provides legal advice and support to AAR committees comprised of member railroad representatives.

The General Counsel will join AAR at a pivotal moment for the industry, marked by significant consolidation, evolving regulatory scrutiny, and an increasingly active litigation environment. The role requires a leader who can operate effectively in a high-intensity, fast-moving context and help position AAR proactively on emerging legal and policy challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as chief legal advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors
• Lead and manage the Law Department, including six attorneys and one executive assistant
• Oversee an annual department budget of approximately $7.6 million and manage outside counsel
  Provide legal, legislative, and policy support for AAR and its subsidiary, MxV Rail
• Develop, coordinate, and advocate industry positions on major governmental initiatives across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches
• Represent AAR and its members in judicial and administrative proceedings and support congressional engagement, including testimony and legislative drafting
• Advise on a broad range of matters, including economic regulation, safety and operations, environmental regulation, spectrum, antitrust, tort litigation, corporate finance, and tax
• Represent the interests of U.S., Canadian, and Mexican member railroads before government agencies and legislatures on international and cross-border transportation matters
• Provide corporate secretary functions and legal guidance on corporate governance and administrative matters, including employment, benefits, privacy, insurance, contracting, government contracting, lobbying and gift law, and antitrust compliance
• Ensure organizational compliance with applicable legal requirements and oversee litigation and contract negotiations
• Support AAR committees comprised of member railroad representatives and coordinate closely with member company general counsels and senior leadership

Requirements

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned legal executive with experience operating in complex, highly regulated environments and a track record of advising at the intersection of law, public policy, and industry dynamics. This individual will bring a strategic orientation and sound judgment, with the ability to anticipate emerging issues and contribute to forward-looking legal and policy approaches that support AAR's mission and its members.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong executive presence and the ability to operate effectively in a multi-stakeholder environment. They will be a credible and trusted advisor to senior leadership and the Board, as well as a capable leader of a high-performing legal function, able to balance strategic priorities with execution.

Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of legal experience, ideally including corporate association, or regulatory agency experience
• Experience in the transportation sector, particularly railroads, or other highly regulated industries
• Strong knowledge of economic regulation and relevant federal agencies, including the Surface Transportation Board and Department of Transportation (FRA, PHMSA)
• Expertise in administrative law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and related litigation
• Knowledge of federal preemption and antitrust compliance
• Experience leading strategic and policy-driven litigation
• Executive presence with strong Board-level communication and public speaking skills
• Experience engaging with C-suite executives and external stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to build alignment among sophisticated stakeholders with diverse perspectives, including senior legal leaders from major corporations
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including economists, policy experts, and government affairs professionals
• Proven leadership experience managing a legal function, including budget oversight, attorney development, and outside counsel management

Education and Bar Admission

• The ideal candidate will hold a Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and maintain active membership in the District of Columbia Bar or be eligible to waive in.