Special Legal Counsel Services (Municipal Tax Appeal Matters)

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting Qualification Statements from highly experienced legal professionals and firms to provide Special Legal Counsel Services focused on Municipal Tax Appeal Matters. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks to establish a pool of qualified attorneys to represent the City in all tax-related legal proceedings, including complex tax appeals before the Tax Court of New Jersey and disputes with real estate owners at various County Boards of Taxation within New Jersey. The scope of work encompasses defending the City against tax appeals, engaging in negotiations, and prosecuting or defending other ancillary services related to tax appeals, all under the direct supervision and guidance of the City’s Office of Corporation Counsel and the Director of the Department of Property Taxation. This critical service ensures the City's interests are robustly represented in property valuation and taxation disputes, addressing an ongoing need for specialized legal expertise. Prospective contractors must demonstrate extensive professional, financial, and administrative capabilities to deliver the required services effectively. Key qualifications include a proven record of litigation experience specifically in the Tax Court of New Jersey and before various County Boards of Taxation across the state. Respondents are required to submit detailed administrative information, such as their business organization structure, names and business addresses of all principals (individuals with 10% or more ownership interest or operational control), evidence of compliance with affirmative action requirements, and confirmation of appropriate federal and state licenses to perform legal activities. Additionally, applicants must provide resumes of key attorneys who would be assigned to City cases, a narrative statement detailing their understanding of the City's specific needs, and a comprehensive listing of relevant experience with municipal government clients over the past three to five years, including references. Any professional malpractice judgments or bankruptcy proceedings in the last three to ten years must also be disclosed. Qualification Statements must be meticulously prepared and submitted by the strict deadline of November 23, 2021, at 1:00 P.M. Submissions must be hand-delivered or mailed to the East Orange Division of Procurement, attention Lisa L. Jackson, at East Orange City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. Crucially, submissions forwarded via facsimile or email will not be accepted. Respondents are mandated to submit one original (unbound) and four copies, along with one compact disk (CD) containing the sealed submission. The City is not responsible for the loss or non-delivery of mailed or courier-sent qualification statements. All inquiries and communications regarding this RFQ process must be directed in writing to the City's Designated Contact Person, Lisa L. Jackson, Purchasing Agent, who can also be reached at (973) 266-5162, with a fax number of (862) 444-0101 for general communication, though not for submissions.