Special Legal Counsel Services (EOWC)

The City of East Orange, acting on behalf of the East Orange Board of Water Commissioners (EOBWC), is actively soliciting Qualification Statements for Special Legal Counsel Services (EOWC). This comprehensive procurement aims to engage highly experienced legal professionals to provide advice and representation across a broad spectrum of legal matters. A critical component of the scope of work involves specialized knowledge of environmental law pertinent to municipal and regional water providers, encompassing areas such as environmental enforcement, permitting decisions (both issuance and denial), penalty enforcement actions, administrative determinations, and adherence to environmental regulations. The selected counsel will also facilitate cooperation and information coordination with various governmental agencies, demonstrating familiarity with state and federal environmental regulatory bodies impacting municipal water supply, and will be required to represent the EOBWC and its designated personnel before diverse tribunals, boards, and panels. Prospective contractors are required to demonstrate extensive knowledge, proven experience, and a sustained capacity to deliver these specialized professional legal services. Essential qualifications include robust general litigation experience, a profound understanding of water utility operations within municipal government, and a deep expertise in environmental law. Respondents must also be proficient in the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), the Open Public Meetings Act, and modern discovery rules, including e-discovery. Firms must provide detailed resumes of all key attorneys, a comprehensive description of their overall experience, and a list of relevant municipal government clients from the past three years. Mandatory requirements include a documented record of litigation success in Federal, Superior, Appellate, and Workers’ Compensation courts, along with a listing of all similar engagements over the preceding five years, including contact information for references. Furthermore, applicants must disclose their malpractice insurance coverage limits and attest to compliance with all applicable affirmative action requirements. Qualification Statements must be meticulously prepared and submitted to the City of East Orange Purchasing Department no later than 1:00 P.M. on Friday, November 30, 2018. Submissions necessitate one unbound original, four copies, and one compact disk (CD) set, which must be hand-delivered or mailed to Lisa Jackson, Purchasing Agent, at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018; submissions sent via facsimile or email will not be accepted. The required documentation package includes, but is 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 valid New Jersey Business Registration Certificate, Professional Service Entity Information Form, Qualification Affidavit, Submission Form, Acknowledgment of Corrections, Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran, Statement of Indebtedness, Agreement for Payment of Commodity/Service, Letter of Intent, and Letter of Qualification. For inquiries or to obtain the Request for Qualifications document, contact Lisa Jackson, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162, fax (862) 444-0101, or email lisa.jackson@eastorange-nj.gov. UNLOCK