Massachusetts DOT, MBTA name McGarrah general counsel

Douglas McGarrah this week was named general counsel of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

McGarrah will oversee litigation, real estate, procurement, labor relations and board issues for both organizations, state officials said in a press release. He will manage about 100 employees.

Previously, McGarrah was a partner and co-chair of real estate and development practice at Boston law firm Foley Hoag LLP. He joined the firm in 1991 and has since served as project counsel on large-scale public and private development projects in Massachusetts.

"Doug McGarrah is particularly well suited to serve as general counsel because his legal expertise has been brought to bear for issues involving government regulations, real estate projects, environmental disputes, construction-related topics and for cases involving some of our most vulnerable citizens in environmental justice communities," said Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Gina Fiandaca.