Job Title:

Municipal Law Attorney Location:

Paramus, New Jersey (Hybrid)

Job Type:

Full-Time Department:

Municipal Law Practice Group Salary:

$150,000 - $200,000 per year, commensurate with experience and portable book of business

JOB SUMMARY

DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole, LLP, a mid-size, full-service New Jersey law firm, seeks an experienced Municipal Law Attorney (Government Attorney / Public Entity Attorney) to join our Municipal Law Practice Group in Paramus, NJ. This is a senior-level opportunity for an accomplished attorney with a minimum of 10 years of substantive municipal, local government, or public entity law experience who is prepared to serve as lead counsel to New Jersey municipalities, counties, and other local public entities on a broad range of governmental matters. The successful candidate will advise governing bodies, planning and zoning boards, and redevelopment agencies on land use, redevelopment, public procurement and contracting, and governance issues, while working closely with the Firm's partners and associates. A portable book of municipal law business is preferred.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Municipal & Governmental Representation Serve as general counsel, special counsel, or designated municipal attorney (borough attorney, township attorney, or county counsel) to New Jersey municipalities, counties, and other local public entities. Advise governing bodies, planning boards, zoning boards of adjustment, and redevelopment agencies on the full range of legal issues affecting local government operations. Apply knowledge of the various forms of New Jersey municipal government, including the Faulkner Act, Borough, Township, and Village forms, and their enabling legislation. Draft ordinances, resolutions, procurement documents, contracts, shared services agreements, and other municipal agreements. Counsel public entity clients on compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), Open Public Records Act (OPRA), Municipal Land Use Law, Local Public Contracts Law, Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, Local Budget Law, and Local Fiscal Affairs Law. Represent municipalities, counties, and local independent agencies in public bidding, procurement, and bid protest matters. Client Representation & Relationship Management Attend and advise at public meetings, including evening municipal and public entity meetings as required. Maintain regular client communication and provide strategic legal counsel to municipal officials, administrators, and boards. Mentorship & Team Leadership Mentor and supervise associate attorneys working on municipal law matters. Review and provide substantive feedback on work product prepared by junior attorneys and paralegals. Collaborate with partners and practice group members on case strategy, client staffing, and workload management. Contribute to the development of Firm best practices for municipal law representation.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Bar Admission Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school. Admission in good standing to practice law in the State of New Jersey. Experience Requirements Minimum of 10 years of substantive municipal, local government, or public entity law experience, ideally with a New Jersey law firm or in-house municipal/county/public entity law department. Demonstrated experience serving as general counsel to a municipal, county, or other public entity client. Strong working knowledge of the statutory schemes governing New Jersey public entities, including OPMA, OPRA, the Municipal Land Use Law, Local Public Contracts Law, Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, Local Budget Law, and Local Fiscal Affairs Law, as well as enabling legislation for the various forms of New Jersey municipal government (Faulkner Act, Township, Borough, Village, etc.).

REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

Technical Skills Superior legal research, writing, and drafting abilities. Experience with case management and time/billing systems. Advanced knowledge of legal research tools such as Westlaw and/or LexisNexis. Professional Skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex legal and policy matters clearly to public officials. Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple public entity client relationships simultaneously while meeting deadlines. Sound professional judgment and the ability to exercise independent legal analysis. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with public officials, colleagues, and opposing counsel. Excellent advocacy and negotiation skills. Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team-oriented environment. Capacity to mentor and develop junior attorneys.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Admission in good standing to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Admission to the New York State Bar. Membership or active involvement in municipal law-focused professional organizations (e.g., NJSBA Local Government Law Section, New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys, NJ State League of Municipalities). AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell or similar peer-review distinction. Portable book of municipal law business.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Annual salary of $150,000 to $200,000 (commensurate with experience, qualifications, and portable book of business). Performance and origination-based bonus opportunity. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. 401(k) retirement plan. Paid time off and paid holidays. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) support and professional development opportunities. Hybrid work flexibility in accordance with Firm policy.

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply directly through this posting with a resume and, if applicable, a summary of portable client relationships. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

ABOUT DECOTIIS, FITZPATRICK & COLE, LLP

Founded in 1986, DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole, LLP, has become a leader in the New Jersey government, legal, and business communities. Our firm is a 50-plus-attorney, full-service firm headquartered in Paramus, New Jersey. We specialize in delivering innovative solutions with an unparalleled ability to collaborate across practice groups. Our attorneys practice in a wide variety of areas, including litigation, environmental law, labor and employment, commercial real estate, redevelopment, municipal law, government and regulatory affairs, construction law, health care, insurance, education law, public finance, tax, and corporate and business law. We emphasize practical legal thinking and consistently focus on helping our clients achieve their objectives and get things done. Many of our attorneys have decades of experience working in government roles, including the State Attorney Generals' Office, Prosecutor's Offices, and the U.S. Attorney's Office, while others worked in-house for Fortune 100 legal departments. The background of our attorneys, combined with our legal and business experience, provides our firm with the ability to offer superior representation to our clients. As a client-centered firm, we value our relationships with clients and the trust they place in us. We strive to provide legal counsel that is unmatched in expertise, responsiveness, and cost-effectiveness for every client, in every matter, every time.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole, LLP, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Pay:

$150,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible schedule Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan Vision insurance Application Question(s): Are you actively licensed to practice law in New Jersey? Ability to

Commute:

Paramus, NJ 07652 (Required)

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Paramus, NJ 07652