Request for Qualifications for Municipal Tax Appeal Attorney Services

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is actively soliciting Qualification Statements from highly qualified legal professionals to provide Special Legal Counsel Services specifically for Municipal Tax Appeal Matters. This critical role involves representing the City in all tax-related matters, encompassing the defense and representation in tax appeals before the Tax Court of New Jersey, as well as before various County Boards of Taxation. The selected attorney or firm will operate under the direct oversight and guidance of the City’s Office of Corporation Counsel and the Director of the Department of Property Taxation. The comprehensive scope of work includes defending the City against tax appeals initiated by real estate owners, diligently appearing, negotiating, prosecuting, and defending all legal proceedings arising from tax appeals, and offering other specialized ancillary legal services on an “as needed” basis to address the municipality's evolving requirements. The primary objective of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to establish a robust pool of pre-qualified legal counsel. Prospective contractors must unequivocally demonstrate extensive expertise in the provision of professional legal services, with a mandatory emphasis on a proven track record of successful litigation experience within the Tax Court of New Jersey and before the various County Boards of Taxation across New Jersey. Respondents are strictly required to possess and maintain all appropriate federal and state licenses necessary to perform legal activities within the jurisdiction. Submission requirements include detailed resumes of key employees, particularly the attorneys designated to handle the City's cases, outlining their educational backgrounds and experience with projects of similar complexity and nature. Furthermore, firms must furnish a comprehensive description of their business organization, ownership structure, and details concerning any professional malpractice judgments or bankruptcy proceedings within specified historical periods. While no specific New Jersey Public Works Contractor Registration is mentioned, mandatory insurance stipulations include Professional Liability Insurance, requiring minimum coverage limits of $1,000,000.00 for each claim and a $1,000,000.00 aggregate per policy period. The RFQ document does not specify any mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits. Qualification Statements must be meticulously prepared and delivered, either by mail or hand-delivery, to the East Orange Division of Procurement, addressed to Lisa L. Jackson, at East Orange City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. Submissions transmitted via facsimile or email will be summarily rejected and will not be considered for evaluation. The definitive deadline for the receipt of all Qualification Statements is 1:00 P.M. on December 11, 2019. Each complete submission must comprise one original (unbound document), four identical hard copies, and one compact disk (CD) containing all submitted materials, all presented individually within a sealed envelope. The RFQ document outlines general contract provisions for selected firms, including clauses for indemnification and insurance, but explicitly does not stipulate requirements for bid security, bonds, or performance bonds during the qualification submission phase. For any additional information, clarification, or to acquire copies of the RFQ document, interested parties are directed to contact Lisa L. Jackson, the Purchasing Agent, directly via telephone at (973) 266-5162 or by fax at (862) 444-0101.