LITIGATION/DEFENSE COUNSEL SERVICES WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COUNSEL SERVICES & SPECIAL CONFLICT

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting Qualification Statements (RFQs) from highly qualified individuals and firms to provide critical legal services, encompassing Litigation/Defense Counsel Services, Workers’ Compensation Counsel Services, and Special Conflict Counsel Services. This comprehensive request aims to establish a pool of experienced attorneys capable of representing the City, its officers, and employees in a broad spectrum of legal matters. The scope for Litigation/Defense Counsel includes, but is not limited to, actions arising under the Tort Claims Act (N.J.S.A. 59:1-1 et seq.), Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA, N.J.S.A. 34:19-1 et seq.), Laws Against Discrimination (LAD, N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983 actions, contract disputes, and challenges to government actions. Workers’ Compensation Counsel services specifically involve the defense and representation of the City in lawsuits pursuant to N.J.S.A. 34:15-1 et seq. Additionally, Special Conflict Counsel will provide litigation and defense counsel services, including workers’ compensation, when conflicts of interest, non-availability, scheduling conflicts, or specific circumstances necessitate specialized external legal support. Prospective legal service providers must demonstrate exceptional professional, financial, and administrative capabilities to deliver the required services effectively to the City of East Orange. Key qualifications include a proven record of litigation experience in Federal court, Superior court, Appellate court, and the Workers’ Compensation court. Respondents are required to submit detailed resumes of all key attorneys and staff who will be assigned to the City, along with comprehensive descriptions of their relevant past experience and a list of municipal government clients served within the last three years. Mandatory compliance with New Jersey statutes is essential, including Affirmative Action (N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq., N.J.A.C. 17:27), Business Registration of Public Contractors (N.J.S.A. 52:32-44), and Disclosure of Ownership (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2). Firms must also provide proof of Professional Liability Insurance with minimum coverage limits of $1,000,000 per claim and a $2,000,000 aggregate per policy period. There are no mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits associated with this Request for Qualifications. Qualification Statements must be meticulously prepared and received by the City of East Orange no later than 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, November 30, 2023. Submissions are strictly limited to mailed or hand-delivered formats; facsimile or email transmissions will not be accepted. All proposals must be directed to Racquel C Ferguson, Office of Procurement, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 per RFQ packet is required for documents picked up on-site, payable to the City of East Orange. Each legal service category applied for requires a separate qualification statement submitted individually in a sealed envelope. No bid security, such as bid bonds or performance bonds, is specified for this Request for Qualifications. For any inquiries regarding the submission process, the primary contact is Racquel C Ferguson, Office of Procurement, who can be reached at (973) 266-5162.