Request for Qualifications for Special Labor Counsel Services

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is actively seeking Qualification Statements from highly qualified individuals and legal firms to serve as Special Labor Counsel. This critical role involves providing expert legal representation and guidance in complex public sector labor matters, all under the direct supervision and strategic direction of the City’s Office of Corporation Counsel. The comprehensive scope of work includes, but is not limited to, extensive litigation support such as court appearances, arbitrations, conferences, and negotiations, alongside thorough legal research and investigations. Furthermore, the selected counsel will be responsible for representing the City in the negotiation and meticulous preparation of collective bargaining agreements with various municipal bargaining units. A key function will also be to act as a specialized labor expert for the City, providing interpretations and ensuring enforcement of the terms, conditions, and covenants stipulated within these collective bargaining agreements. Additionally, the role demands the ability to provide diverse ancillary legal services as needed, including representation in employee disciplinary matters, broader employment law issues, or other public sector labor law requirements, often requiring attendance at governing body meetings or engagement with municipal officials. The contract for these specialized legal services is established for a period of one year. Prospective legal firms and individuals must demonstrate a robust and proven track record of expertise in professional legal services pertaining to public sector labor and employment law. A mandatory requirement includes significant litigation experience within either the Superior Court of New Jersey, encompassing its Appellate Division, or the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Respondents are required to submit a detailed description of their overall experience, highlighting relevant past engagements and a list of pertinent municipal government clients from the last three years, complete with contact information for references. Furthermore, comprehensive resumes for all key attorneys proposed to be assigned to the City's matters are essential, showcasing their education, experience, degrees, and certifications. Firms must also affirm their compliance with all appropriate federal and state licenses necessary for performing legal activities and disclose the limits of their malpractice insurance coverage. A narrative statement articulating the respondent's understanding of the City's specific legal needs and goals is also a crucial component of the qualification statement. No mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits are scheduled for this Request for Qualifications. To be considered, Qualification Statements must be meticulously prepared and submitted by mail or hand-delivery to the East Orange Office of Procurement, located at East Orange City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. The absolute deadline for receipt of these statements is 11:00 A.M. on December 11, 2019; submissions via facsimile or email will be strictly rejected. The complete Request for Qualifications (RFQ) packet is available for download on the official City of East Orange website, www.eastorange-nj.org. Alternatively, physical copies can be obtained on-site from the Division of Procurement, City Hall, 1st Floor, between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, at a non-refundable cost of $25.00 per packet to cover administrative and printing expenses, with checks made payable to the City of East Orange. Required submission components include, but are not limited to, a Business Entity Disclosure Certification, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, a copy of the New Jersey Business Registration Certificate, a Qualification Affidavit, a Submission Form detailing proposed individuals and costs, and both a Letter of Intent and a Letter of Qualification. Respondents must submit one original (unbound), four copies, and one compact disk (CD) set, each contained within a sealed envelope addressed to Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, who serves as the primary contact for this solicitation.