Jane Sutter Starke

Jane serves as counsel to transit agencies across the country on a range of issues from funding to project development to procurement.

An advisor to several transit authorities around the country, she counsels clients on labor protection issues under section 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act; including claims, certification disputes before the Department of Labor and in arbitration, and labor issues associated with the contracting of transit services; procurement issues, such as contracting for transit operating and maintenance services, and the purchase of vehicles (including innovative technologies) and equipment; compliance with requirements of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), including Buy America, and the development of and funding associated with capital investment projects, including bus rapid transit (BRT) projects.

Finding available funding opportunities is key to the success of the Nation's mass transit systems. Having served as Counsel to the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the U.S. House of Representatives, Jane understands the congressional authorization and appropriations process and works with clients to develop effective approaches for funding and statutory changes. Jane's Hill experience enables her to effectively formulate and advocate positions on legislation, develop advocacy documents and legislative language, analyze legislation, and advise clients on the legislative process as well as the implementation of enacted legislation by the Executive Branch. Jane was closely involved in the Congress' recent passage of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) and in its ongoing implementation by FTA.

From appropriations to ensuring compliance with Federal statutes and regulations, Jane has helped agencies navigate the FTA process and the programmatic requirements with which capital investment projects and contracting solicitations must comply.

In addition, Jane and members of the firm's litigation group have successfully represented transit clients in environmental litigation, arbitration, and challenges to contracting actions and state legislation.