Special Legal Counsel Services (Municipal Tax Appeal Matters)

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting Qualification Statements (RFQ) from highly qualified legal professionals and firms to provide Special Legal Counsel Services specifically for Municipal Tax Appeal Matters. This comprehensive procurement seeks to establish a pool of attorneys to represent the City in all tax-related legal proceedings, including but not limited to, tax appeals heard before the Tax Court of New Jersey. The selected counsel will operate under the direct supervision and direction of the City's Office of Corporation Counsel and the Director of the Department of Property Taxation, ensuring seamless integration with existing municipal legal frameworks. The scope of work encompasses defending the City against tax appeals filed by real estate owners, appearing in court, negotiating settlements, prosecuting or defending as appropriate, and rendering any other ancillary legal services deemed necessary by the Corporation Counsel. This initiative aims to secure expert legal representation to protect the City's financial interests and maintain accurate property taxation assessments. To be considered for these critical legal services, prospective contractors must demonstrate exceptional professional, administrative, and financial capabilities. Key qualifications include a proven record of extensive litigation experience specifically within the Tax Court of New Jersey and before various County Boards of Taxation statewide. Respondents are required to hold all appropriate federal and state licenses necessary for the performance of legal services in New Jersey. Furthermore, applicants must provide evidence of professional malpractice insurance with minimum coverage limits of $1,000,000 per claim and a $3,000,000 aggregate per policy period. Submission requirements detail the need for an executive summary, an executed Letter of Qualification and Letter of Intent, a thorough description of the business organization and its principals, documentation of compliance with affirmative action requirements, an outline of the firm's operational history, disclosure of any professional malpractice judgments or bankruptcy proceedings, comprehensive resumes for all key attorneys assigned to the City's matters, a narrative detailing their understanding of the City's specific needs, and a detailed listing of previous relevant engagements and client references, particularly municipal government clients over the last five years. There are no mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits mentioned. Qualification Statements must be meticulously prepared and submitted no later than 1:00 P.M. EST on November 23, 2021. Submissions must be physically mailed or hand-delivered to the East Orange Division of Procurement, attention Lisa L. Jackson, at East Orange City Hall, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. It is explicitly stated that submissions forwarded by facsimile or email will not be accepted. Each Qualification Statement must be presented individually in a sealed envelope, and the complete submission package must include one unbound original, four additional copies, and one compact disk (CD) set of all required documents. Essential forms to be included are the Business Entity Disclosure Certification, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notices, a copy of the Certificate of Employee Information Report (or Form AA302), a New Jersey Business Registration Certificate, Professional Service Entity Information Form, Qualification Affidavit, Submission Form (detailing cost and hourly rates), Acknowledgement of Corrections, Additions or Deletions Form, Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran, Statement of Indebtedness Form, Agreement for Payment of Commodity/Service Form, Letter of Intent, and Letter of Qualification. For inquiries, Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, can be reached at (973) 266-5162 or via fax at (862) 444-0101.