About this opportunity
AI summaryThe City of Salem seeks proposals from New Jersey licensed attorneys or law firms to serve as the Municipal Public Defender from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2027. The selected counsel will represent indigent defendants, attend regular and special Municipal Court sessions, manage plea negotiations and trials, compile pre-trial discovery, conduct investigations, and interface with judicial and law enforcement officials. Eligible applicants must be fully licensed and in good standing to practice law in New Jersey and possess at least three years of experience as a Municipal Public Defender. Applicants must submit their proposals, including three copies with one marked original and their requested compensation, to the Office of the City Clerk by 10:00 a.m. on November 19, 2026. The Mayor and Common Council will evaluate proposals based on qualification responsiveness, general experience and reputation, Salem-specific knowledge, alignment with City needs, availability, and office resources. Final compensation will be established through a negotiated professional services contract.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- City of Salem
Scope of work
- Representation of indigent defendants in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2B:24-1 et seq.
- Attendance at regularly scheduled Municipal Court sessions and any special sessions for assigned indigent defendants
- Engaging in plea negotiations and trial of Municipal Court cases
- Compiling and handling issues of pre-trial discovery
- Interfacing with Judge, Municipal Prosecutor, clients, law enforcement officers, County Prosecutor, and Attorney General
- Engaging in necessary pre-trial investigation and securing experts if necessary
- Engaging in legal research and preparation of necessary briefs, motions, and memoranda of law
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Responsiveness to the Qualification Evaluation and other required submissions | Not specified |
| General experience and reputation in the field | Not specified |
| Specific experience/knowledge of the City of Salem and the subject matter to be addressed under the Contract | Not specified |
| Qualifications and experience which most closely match the needs of the City | Not specified |
| Availability to accommodate meeting and interface requirements with the Mayor, City Council, and City Officials | Not specified |
| Office resources, including backup staff, deemed most adequate to service the needs of the City | Not specified |
| Applicant deemed otherwise most advantageous based on all information submitted or gathered | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Fully licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of New Jersey
- Minimum of 3 years of experience as a Municipal Public Defender
- Available for court sessions as indicated on the Salem City 2027 Court schedule
Documents to include with your response
- Resume and/or other documentation demonstrating compliance with Minimum Requirements
- Narrative describing experience with municipal court procedure, plea negotiations, and trial
- Narrative describing experience with NJ Statutes Title 2C, Title 39, and municipal ordinances
- Narrative describing experience with non-municipal court matters
- Disclosures of pending or past disciplinary proceedings
- Disclosures of malpractice lawsuits, arrests, or convictions
- Description of office location, support staff, and backup qualified attorneys
- Signed Pay to Play forms
- Combined Certification: Prohibited Activities in Russia and Belarus & Investment Activities in Iran form
- Requested compensation statement
Key dates
- Proposals due
- on or before 10:00 a.m. on November 19, 2026
- Public opening
- 10:00 a.m. on November 19, 2026
- Contract start
- January 1, 2027
How to submit
- Method
- Hard copy
- Instructions
- Submit three copies of your proposal with one clearly marked Original to the Office of the City Clerk at 125 West Broadway, Salem, New Jersey 08079.
Contract details
- Term
- January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2027, subject to termination at any time by City Council
- Place of performance
- Salem, New Jersey