Township Attorney at TOWNSHIP OF MONTCLAIR – MONTCLAIR, New Jersey

Description: The Mayor and Council of the Township of Montclairare seeking an experienced municipal attorney with a demonstrated history ofsuccessfully advising municipalities in New Jersey. The Township Attorney willprovide legal counsel to the Mayor and Council, Manager, departments, and othermunicipal agencies on issues affecting local government operations. Theattorney shall also prosecute and defend legal actions and proceedings by andagainst the Township of Montclair, its departments, and agencies, except inparticular cases, where, at the discretion of the Township attorney, an outsidelaw firm or attorney is engaged or when such matters are the purview of theTownship's insurance provider. Whereoutside special counsel is needed, the Township attorney shall direct andmonitor their work product and billing. The Township attorney shall have chargeof all legal affairs of the Township government and its various boards andother official bodies. Work is performed under general direction from the Mayorand Township Council and in close coordination with the Township Manager.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises staff thatmay include a legal secretary, paralegal, assistant attorney and the Township Prosecutor. Ÿ Oversees outsidecounsel. ŸMonitors litigation and claims handled by the Township's insurance provider, asneeded.

Essential Functions: Serves as legal advisoron all matters of Township business. Provides day-to-day verbal and/or writtenadvice on legal matters pertaining to municipal affairs submitted by theManager, Council, or any individual Council member. Matters may include but notbe limited to questions pertaining to the Open Public Records Act, Open PublicMeetings Act, Local Public Contracts Law, New Jersey Torts Claim Act, andProperty Maintenance Code. Ÿ Representsthe Township in all judicial and administrative proceedings in which theTownship or any of its officers or agencies may be a party or have an interest.Ÿ Conducts legal researchand prepares detailed memoranda on various municipal issues as necessary orrequested by the Manager or Council. Ÿ Prepares, reviews,negotiates, and/or approves as to form and sufficiency all legal documents,contracts, deeds, ordinances, and substantive resolutions made, executed, oradopted by or on behalf of the Township. Ÿ Attends Councilmeetings. Conducts appeals from orders, decisions, or judgments affecting anyinterest of the Township, as directed by Council. Ÿ Subject to the approvalof the Council, has power to enter into any agreement, compromise, orsettlement of any litigation in which the Township is involved. Ÿ Maintains a record ofall actions, suits, proceedings, and matters which relate to the Township'sinterests, and reports thereon from time to time as the Council or Manager mayrequire. ŸProvides briefings and updates to Council members and Township Manager of legalissues affecting the Township. Ÿ Performs other functions, powers, and duties asmay be directed by the Council, or provided by Charter, or ordinance. Ÿ Supervises and directsthe work of an assistant township attorney, clerical aides, and professionalassistants as the Council may authorize for special or regular employment in orunder the authority of the Law Department.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of Federal, state, and local courts. Ÿ Knowledge of variousforms of local government in New Jersey. Ÿ Ability to interpret,research, and apply local, state and Federal statutes and regulations. ŸAbility to communicateideas in written form in a clear, concise, and accurate manner. Ÿ Ability to understandthe complexities and uses of pertinent and evidentiary laws, rules, andregulations. Ÿ Abilityto prepare correspondence as required in the course of official duties. Ÿ Ability to conductwitness interviews. Ÿ Abilityto prepare technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical reports andother reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ÿ Ability to initiate andmaintain communication with other government agencies. Ÿ Ability to establish andmaintain an orderly system of records and files. Ÿ Ability to read, write,speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform theduties of the position. Ÿ Ability to address extemporaneously proceduralquestions and routine legal questions raised by the Council and public atCouncil meetings. Ÿ Exceptionalattention to detail and proofreading skills.

Minimum Qualifications and Special Requirements:

Juris Doctorate conferred by an accredited law school. Admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey. 5-7 years of experience practicing law with a focus on municipal law. High standards of professionalism and discretion with confidential information. Experience in land use and zoning law a plus. Special Requirements: Appointees will be required to possess a driver'slicense valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather thanemployee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of theposition. ŸThe applicant must pass a full criminal history investigation such as tocertify ability to access confidential State and National police informationsystems. ŸWill require off-hours availability for evening Council meetings and othermeetings, as situations warrant.

Schedule Requirement: Position requires on-site availability to support the Mayor and Council, including evenings, Council meetings, and special or emergency meetings, as required.

Full-time Salary Exempt: Salary Range: $138,010- $215,000

Salary commensurate with experience. Salary will be specific to the joblevel and considers the wide range of factors that are considered in makingcompensation decisions, including but not limited to: education, experience,licensure, certifications, geographic location, and internal equity. Compensation decisions depend on thecircumstances of each candidate. The Twp also provides a comprehensivecompensation/ benefits package which includes health benefits(Medical/Dental/Vision); generous PTO, retirement plan and pension.

Closing Date: This job posting will remain open until February 17, 2026.