Government Represention
The attorneys of Jardim, Meisner & Susser, P.C. have substantial experience in representing government entities. We have represented and advised governmental entities in a wide range of issues, providing legal opinions, drafting key documents, participating in meetings with our government clients – whether scheduled, special, or emergent, and monitoring and advising on changes in the law or regulations that would have an impact for our clients.
Our experience serving governmental entities comes both from within and as outside counsel. Tom Jardim has served as mayor of Westfield from 1997-2001, and possesses a level of knowledge of the inner workings of New Jersey municipal, county, and state government that few firms can approach. Moreover, our attorneys have served as general and special counsel to New Jersey state and a number of New Jersey counties, municipalities, and public agencies.
We offer our public entity clients a wide range of legal services, including (i) litigation in a diverse range of practice areas, before a variety of forums (federal and state court and administrative venues), where we take cases from inception to conclusion (trial, arbitration, mediation, and appeal); (ii) advisory; and (iii) transactional. Below is a sampling of some of the types of legal representation that Jardim, Meisner & Susser can provide to our public entity clients:
Litigation
We have the resources and knowledge to defend local governments against claims that include:
Business Law, including:
- Complex commercial litigation;
- Contract claims.
Civil Rights Law, including:
- Federal and state civil rights claims involving public entities and claims brought under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 and 1985.
Construction Law, including:
- We have significant construction law acumen which includes construction defect matters and negligent road design; indeed, we have developed case law in this area.
Employment Law, including:
- Employment discrimination lawsuits, including those brought under New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination;
- Wrongful discharge litigation;
- Employment matters of harassment and retaliation;
- Regularly appearing in matters involving the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights.
- Matters involving the Americans with Disabilities Act;
- Matters involving the Conscientious Employee Protection Act.
Government Law, including:
- Defense of local ordinance challenges;
- Prerogative writs;
Police/Traffic/Road Matters, including:
- Excessive force by police;
- False imprisonment;
- Improper police pursuit;
- Inadequate traffic control devices;
- Failure to maintain roadways.
Property Rights Law including:
- Eminent domain;
- Condemnation and other matters involving real estate valuation proceedings;
- Escheat;
- Wrongful takings;
- Failure to maintain real property.
Tort Law, including:
- Defending personal injury claims;
- Matters involving the Tort Claims Act (N.J.S.A. 59:8-1, et seq.);
- Medical and other professional malpractice cases;
- Product liability matters;
- Insurance issues and subrogation claims;
- Negligence;
- Defamation.
Taxation (state and local), including:
- Tax appeals (appearing before the Tax Court of New Jersey and county boards of taxation). We are experienced in all categories of real property tax appeals ranging from: residential properties, shopping centers, apartment buildings, banks, added/omitted assessments, and claims for exemption
Advisory
Beyond litigation, we also offer far-sighted advice and counsel designed to protect our clients’ interests and avoid legal entanglements. For each one of the litigation bullet points listed above, our attorneys stand ready to guide our public entity clients in avoiding potential disputes.
Specifically, our attorneys have the experience to provide their guidance on all facets of government, municipal, and agency law, including:
- Administrative issues;
- Budgets;
- Contracts;
- Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) requests;
- Open meeting and public record (OPRA) requirements;
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requirements;
- Ordinances and resolutions;
- Public bidding process (including compliance with laws governing “Pay to Play”);
- Public utilities;
- Real estate acquisition, development, and disposal;
- Zoning and planning boards.
Transactional
Jardim, Meisner & Susser, P.C. also provides representation in business transactions and negotiations including deals involving:
- Public works;
- Construction and engineering contracts;
- Sales and service agreements;
- Employment agreements;
- Labor agreements.
Additionally, our attorneys are well versed in non-profit law and stand ready to assist our clients in ensuring that any transaction that they undertake complies with all laws governing public entities.
