Operations & Regulatory Compliance Attorney

As an Operations & Regulatory Compliance Attorney, you'll provide legal counsel and guidance on aviation regulatory, compliance, and operational matters while partnering with Leaders across Ground Operations, Flight Operations, Technical Operations, Government Affairs, and other business areas. You'll interpret and advise on requirements from agencies such as the FAA, DOT, TSA, OSHA, and international regulators, helping the Company manage risk, maintain compliance, and support safe, efficient operations. This role also supports the development and oversight of compliance programs, including drug and alcohol testing, tarmac delay compliance, Safety Management Systems (SMS), and other aviation-related regulatory obligations, while serving as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, regulators, public officials, and outside counsel. 

Additional Details 

• The culture of Southwest Airlines means we value the camaraderie, collaboration, and innovation that occurs when we come together and interact face-to-face at our vibrant Corporate Campus. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from our Dallas, TX Headquarters facility during business hours.  

• U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.  

We’re committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics.  

Responsibilities

• Provides legal counsel, guidance, and training regarding applicable laws, regulations, and policies to multiple departments within the Company, focusing on both day-to-day operational issues and long-term strategy

• Reviews and provides legal guidance on international legal issues such as import/export compliance, cargo requirements over international borders, international permit renewals, international certificate-based work, and new international routes and approvals.

• Provides guidance to Network Planning on a range of issues, including access plans and related agreements; works with Government Affairs on slots, grants, and assurances.

• Works collaboratively with other Southwest departments to assist in drafting and reviewing internal communications regarding operational or regulatory issues

• Assists in review of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable regulations

• Provides legal counsel and responds to agency (e.g., FAA, CBP, TSA, etc.) requests for information, investigations, and general inquiries including review and approval of records requests

• Assists with a broad range of audits, investigations, and enforcement matters, sometimes in collaboration with outside counsel and appropriate Southwest departments, (e.g., agency audits, whistleblower complaints, DOT complaints, aircraft accidents or incidents, agency enforcement actions etc.), including E-Discovery and document preservation, witness preparation, and responsive correspondence

• Helps to research applicable laws and respond to subpoenas, and other requests for Southwest records or witnesses related to operational or regulatory matters

• Assists in review and response to Notices of Proposed Rulemaking, draft policy documents (FAA, TSA, CBP, NTSB), and petitions for exemptions from regulatory requirements

• Provide legal counsel to other Southwest departments regarding federal, state, and local environmental and noise issues

• May be required to perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skilled in written and oral communication, ability to work effectively with all levels of Southwest Employees, Southwest executives, clients, outside counsel, vendors, courts, and others

• Skilled in interpersonal relationships, ability to work well with others as part of a team

• Ability to perform well under pressure

• Ability to exercise judgment sufficient to handle and resolve issues related to sensitive and confidential legal matters

• Ability and willingness to gain expertise and perform work in new areas of the law

• Ability to be proactive, have excellent organizational skills and perform efficiently and effectively on multiple projects under tight deadlines

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree

• Required: Law degree from an accredited school

Experience

• Intermediate level experience as a licensed practicing attorney, with a practice focus on aviation operations and regulatory compliance

• Subject matter expertise on a range of legal practice areas and regulatory topics

Licensing/Certification

• Must be a current member in good standing of a bar association

Physical Abilities

• Ability to perform work duties from work station/desk/office area for extended periods

• Ability to communicate and interact with others in the English language to meet the demands of the job

• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet the demands of the job

Other Qualifications

• Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelines

• Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986

• Must be at least 18 years of age

• Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelines

• Must be willing to travel when required for the job

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include non-business days and hours as needed to meet client need

Pay & Benefits 

• Competitive market salary from $171,260.00 per year to $185,540.00 per year* depending on qualifications and experience. For eligible Leadership and individual contributor roles, additional bonus opportunities are available and awarded at the discretion of the Company.  

Benefits you’ll love:      

• Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights (your eligible dependents too)    

• Southwest will help fund your Retirement Savings Plan, which includes a dollar for-dollar 401(k) Company match contribution of up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings**  

• Potential for annual profit-sharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan—when Southwest profits, you profit***   

• Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents

• Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You'll have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan, and coverage will be retroactively available to your first day of employment.  

• Explore more benefits you’ll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits    

*Pay amount doesn’t guarantee employment for any particular period.   

**401(k) Company match contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule. Match contributions may vary based on the position.  

*** Profit-sharing contributions are subject to the Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.