Special Legal Counsel Services

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting Qualification Statements from highly qualified legal professionals and firms to provide Special Legal Counsel Services, specifically in public sector labor matters. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks to secure specialized legal representation for the City, operating under the direct supervision and guidance of the City’s Office of Corporation Counsel. The comprehensive scope of work involves handling complex legal issues where the City's Law Department faces conflicts of interest. Responsibilities will encompass defending claims and initiating lawsuits on behalf of the City Council, offering expert advice and counsel on litigation, regulatory compliance, and ordinances, and coordinating effectively with the City Administration and its insurance carriers on related legal matters. The selected counsel will also be required to attend meetings as requested by the Mayor and Council, contributing to effective governance and legal protection for the municipality, with the contract period established for one year. Prospective contractors must demonstrate robust professional, financial, and administrative capabilities, including a proven record of litigation experience within the Superior Court of New Jersey (including the Appellate Division) or the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Required submission components include an executive summary not exceeding two pages, an executed Letter of Qualification, and an executed Letter of Intent. Respondents must detail their business organization, ownership structure, and provide evidence of compliance with all applicable affirmative action requirements. Further requirements include disclosing the number of years in business, current management tenure, any professional malpractice judgments within the last three years, bankruptcy proceedings in the past ten years, and confirmation of appropriate federal and state licenses. Detailed professional information, such as descriptions of overall experience, relevant municipal government clients, resumes of key assigned attorneys, malpractice insurance limits, and a list of all other similar engagements within the last five years, is mandatory to demonstrate expertise and adherence to the New Jersey Local Unit Pay-to-Play Law and municipal ordinances. Qualification Statements must be meticulously prepared, including an original and four copies, and submitted individually in a sealed envelope. They must be mailed or hand-delivered to Racquel Ferguson, Purchasing Agent, East Orange Division of Procurement, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018. Submissions sent via facsimile or email will not be accepted. The strict deadline for receipt of all Qualification Statements is Tuesday, November 22, 2022, by 11:30 A.M. A non-refundable fee of $25.00 is required for RFQ packets picked up on-site, payable to the City of East Orange. No bid security or performance bonds are explicitly mentioned within the provided text. All communications or inquiries regarding this RFQ must be directed to the Designated Contact Person in writing, although no specific email address is provided, only a phone number: (973) 266-5162 for the Purchasing Agent.