IN-REM TAX FORECLOSURE SPECIAL LEGAL COUNSEL SERVICES

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is actively soliciting Qualification Statements (RFQ) from highly experienced and qualified legal professionals to provide In-Rem Tax Foreclosure Special Legal Counsel Services. This critical engagement involves representing the City across all tax foreclosure-related matters, encompassing the rigorous prosecution and defense of cases before both the Superior Court of New Jersey and the United States Bankruptcy Court. All services rendered will be under the direct supervision and guidance of the City’s Office of Corporation Counsel. The selected attorney(s) or law firm(s) will be retained on an "as needed" basis, tasked with providing comprehensive legal representation in various capacities deemed essential by the Corporation Counsel, including attending meetings and delivering specialized legal services beyond routine foreclosure proceedings. The overarching goal is to secure competent and adept legal expertise to effectively manage the City's ongoing tax foreclosure caseload and uphold municipal interests. Prospective contractors must demonstrate extensive expertise in providing professional legal services, evidenced by a proven track record in litigation across Federal Court, Superior Court, Appellate, and Workers’ Compensation venues. Mandatory qualifications include possession of all appropriate federal and state licenses necessary for performing legal activities. Firms are required to submit an executive summary, an executed Letter of Qualification, and a Letter of Intent, alongside detailed information concerning their business organization, ownership structure (including principals with 10% or more ownership), and any parent company affiliations. Respondents must disclose any professional malpractice judgments within the last three years, involvement in bankruptcy proceedings within the last ten years, and identify any immediate relatives who are current City employees or elected officials. Comprehensive resumes of all key employees and attorneys proposed for assignment to the City’s matters, coupled with a narrative demonstrating a deep understanding of the City’s specific needs and goals, are essential components of the submission. No mandatory pre-bid meetings are indicated, though a public opening of qualification statements is scheduled. Qualification Statements must be meticulously prepared and received by the City of East Orange no later than 2:00 P.M. on November 23, 2021. Submissions must be either mailed or hand-delivered to the East Orange Office of Procurement, explicitly addressed to ATTENTION LISA L. JACKSON, 44 CITY HALL PLAZA, EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY 07018. Crucially, submissions transmitted via facsimile or email will not be accepted. Each Qualification Statement must be submitted individually within a sealed envelope, consisting of one original, four copies, and one compact disk (CD) containing all required documentation. While no bid security or bonds are specified for submission, awarded contractors will be required to provide Professional Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000.00 per claim and a $3,000,000.00 aggregate per policy period upon contract execution. All inquiries and official correspondence regarding this RFQ should be directed to Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, who can be reached at (973) 266-5162 or via fax at (862) 444-0101.