Municipal Attorney Training Program

Overview

The Diplomate in New Jersey Local Government Law program is a cooperative endeavor between the Center for Government Services (CGS) at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (NJILGA).  The program is designed to provide valuable information on local government law for experienced local government attorneys as well as those who have been recently appointed or who seek local government appointments. The courses cover a broad area of municipal practice and are taught by attorneys or licensed professionals in their respective disciplines.

Partnering Agency

 

Course Information 

The Municipal Attorney Training Program is comprised of six courses:
    - Introduction to Local Government Law (12.5 hours)
    - Local Government Liability in New Jersey (9.5 hours)
    - Local Public Contracts Law (6.5 hours)
    - Local Government Real Estate (6.5 hours)
    - Public Sector Labor Law (6.5 hours)
    - Municipal Financial Management (6.5 hours)

 

Students can choose to take one or several of the above listed courses.  Those seeking to obtain Rutgers University’s Diplomate certificate must successfully complete all six courses in the program and apply to the University for the Diplomate certificate.  Diplomates must accrue continuing education credits and renew their certificates with Rutgers per the program guidelines.  The Diplomate application and certificate renewal information will be available on the Rutgers CGS website in the fall of 2022.

Course Schedule

All courses will be held online during the Spring 2022 semester.  Registered students will receive log-in information via email approximately 2-3 business days before the course.  Please ensure that you provide an accurate email address when registering to receive course log-in information.

Links to register are available at the top of the website or online at https://cgs.rutgers.edu/registration-information.

Spring 2022 Course Schedule

 

introduction to local government law

Fall 2022 - Dates will be posted here when scheduled.

 

local government liability in new jersey

Course Code Dates Time Instructor Fee Location
MA-2002-SU22-1
Thursdays, July 21,
July 28, August 4*
3pm-6pm and
3pm-6:30pm*
 Robert Renaud, Esq. $500 Online Zoom

 

Register

https://cgs.rutgers.edu/registration-information

Course Descriptions

 
Introduction to Local Government Law (12 hours)

Information will be made available in Fall 2022.

Local Government Liability in New Jersey (9 hours)
 
This course covers an overview and history of local government liability; procedural aspects and Notice of Claim and Statute of Limitations; liability and immunity of entities and employees; defense and indemnification; forum and venue; specific claims/cases; limitations and conditions of suit and judgment; § 1983 Claims; N.J. Civil Rights Act; Attorneys’ Fees; as well as the Punitive Damages Act and Public entities and employees. 

 

Local Public Contracts Law (6 hours)
This course details The Local Public Contracts Law & Rules, which greatly impact public procurement processes in New Jersey. Topics cover the establishment and authority of a purchasing agent and Qualified Purchasing Agent; bid thresholds; preparation of bid specifications/Requests for Proposals; competitive bidding requirements; term of contracts; statutory bid process; receipt of formal bids; award of a contract over the bid threshold; disqualification of bidder; and more.

 

Local Government Real Estate (6 hours)
This course will cover the Local Land and Buildings Law including scope and acquisition, disposition, exchanges, the New Jersey Constitution -- Anti-Donation Clause and the New Jersey Land Bank Law. It will also discuss eminent domain and relocation regulations as well as the redevelopment process and tax abatements in redevelopment areas.

 

NJ Public Sector Labor Law (6 hours)
This course will cover relevant topics including Relevant NJ Laws Impacting NJ Public Sector Labor: NJ Constitution/U.S. Constitution, PERC Law Title 34, provisions at N.J.S.A. 40A, Title 11 – Civil Service, OPMA/Rice Notices, Case law – PERC, NJ Courts, OAL; Collective Bargaining with NJ Public Sector Unions: Public Employment Negotiation – Basic Requirements for CAN, Topics for Negotiations, Overview of PERC Law: Negotiations, Grievance Arbitration; Employee Discipline: Civil Service Employee Discipline, 40A Municipalities, Tenure Laws as well as Current Issues Impacting Public Labor Laws in New Jersey.

 

Municipal Financial Management (6 hours)
The goal of the course is to develop competencies for attorneys to have a critical understanding of financial rules and regulations governing New Jersey Certified Municipal Finance Officers.  Course attendees will understand what Municipal Finance Officers are required to comply with, and, as municipal attorneys, how to best assist in the implementation of these financial requirements.   The course is organized in three parts: The Finance Office; Financial Management; Other Requirements/Reporting. 

 

Diplomate Certificate & Continuing Education
Students seeking to obtain Rutgers University’s Diplomate certificate must successfully complete all six courses in the program and apply to the University for the Diplomate certificate.  Diplomates must accrue continuing education credits and renew their certificates with Rutgers per the program guidelines.  The Diplomate application and certificate renewal information will be available here in the fall of 2022.
FYI Box: 

Contact Information

Maria Chigirovich
Program Assistant
848-932-4735
E-mail