Corporate Counsel

Published November 30, 2016 by Virginia Business

Randal S. Noe

Norfolk Southern Corp.
Norfolk

Legal specialties: Real estate transactions and litigation, administrative law, public-private partnerships
Birthplace: Livingston, Mont.
Education:  Bachelor’s degree, University of Rochester; law degree, Washington and Lee University.
Spouse:  Barbra
Children:  Edward, Elsbeth and George
Hobbies or pastimes:  Downhill skiing
First job as a lawyer: Associate at Harter, Secrest & Emery in Rochester, N.Y.
Fan of:  Crew, golf, soccer, cross country and whatever other sports my kids are participating in.
Favorite vacation spot:  Wintergreen
Recently read book: “In Custer’s Shadow” (a biography of Maj. Marcus Reno) by Ronald H. Nichols.
Career mentors:  Peter Abdella and John Herbert (attorneys at Harter, Secrest), Jeff Burton (former general counsel-operations at Norfolk Southern) and the late Craig Lewis (former vice president-corporate relations at Norfolk Southern)

What are your responsibilities as general counsel-operations at Norfolk Southern?
I work with a team of very talented lawyers to deliver legal services to the business departments responsible for conducting and supporting the company’s operations.  We primarily handle labor, employment, environmental, real estate and safety issues.  We get involved in many types of transactions, manage litigation, interact with regulatory agencies and provide day-to-day legal advice to our client.

What are some of the major issues facing U.S. railroads today?
From evolutions in markets to changes in the workforce to advances in technology, there is no shortage of interesting issues facing our industry.  One area that is among the most challenging to manage is the regulatory environment.  As a highly regulated industry, it is very important to us and to our customers that the regulatory system permits us to adapt to changing circumstances and to meet the country’s growing transportation needs.