Sparta, NJT: 973.729.1880F: 973.729.1224LCRLAW.COM


   

Government Services

Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience representing municipalities and their boards.

No field is more challenging or fluid than municipal law. Our attorneys are devoted to the practice of municipal law and a number of them share their experience by teaching and lecturing in the field.

Our Government Services Practice covers every aspect of the law from pursuing tax claims in bankruptcy court, preparing bid specifications and contracts, drafting local ordinances to address new changes in the law and defending challenges to municipal actions. In addition to serving our existing municipal clients, our municipal attorneys serve as Special Counsel to other municipalities and agencies for land use matters, COAH matters, and OPRA matters, which includes counseling clients on day-to-day OPRA operations and representing clients in connection with OPRA litigation.

This practice group has also represented various Boards of Education.

In addition to addressing day-to-day operational legal questions, Laddey, Clark & Ryan’s Government Services group has experience with a wide variety of litigation matters which include challenges to land use denials, eminent domain proceedings, tax appeals and constitutional challenges to municipal actions. We also draw on the experience of our Employment and Labor Practice Group to assist our municipalities in addressing their employment-related issues.

The Government Services Practice Group has extensive experience handling all phases of municipal litigation.

Municipal Litigation areas of practice

Specifically, our firm can assist you with any of the following areas of government services and municipal law litigation:

  • Municipal Attorney
  • Municipal Prosecutor
  • Board of Public Works Attorney
  • Labor Attorney
  • Local and State property tax appeals
  • Defense of legislative challenges
  • Representation in bankruptcy matters
  • Preparation of local legislation involving all aspects of municipal law
  • Drafting of municipal ordinances
  • Development issues including COAH compliance, property dedication and negotiation of developers agreements
  • Major litigation involving civil rights, affordable housing and other challenges to municipal actions
  • Collective bargaining agreements
  • Bid specification and contract negotiation
  • Public land purchase and sale
  • Public bond law
  • Preparation of developers agreements

Core Practice Areas

  • Special Counsel
  • Prosecutor
  • Personnel Policy Manuals
  • Municipal Employment
  • Municipal Attorney
  • Legislation and Ordinances
  • Land Use & Zoning
  • Government Tax Appeals
  • Collective Bargaining
  • COAH
  • Board of Public Works

Attorneys

Ursula H. Leo, Practice Leader

News

March 22, 2023
Just Cause and How to Prove it
Fred Knapp will conduct a workshop for public officials at the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) Annual Conference

"Ethics in Government"
Laddey Clark & Ryan's Fred Knapp will speak on "Ethics in Government" at Nisivoccia's CMFO Roundtable on December 9.
September 20, 2022
Knapp Article Published in Police Chief Magazine
Fred Knapp's article, "What Is 'Just Cause' and How to Prove It," was published in the September 2022 issue of The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine.
7/21/2021
U.S. Government Launches One-Stop Ransomware Resource
On Thursday, July 15th 2021, the United States Government announced the launch of StopRansomware.gov which provides resources to protect American businesses and communities from the ongoing response to ransomware attacks.
February 10, 2021
Leo Named Associate Counsel to New Jersey Planning Officials
Ursula Leo has been elected to serve as Associate Counsel to the New Jersey Planning Officials.
December 28, 2020
Recent Court Decisions Concerning Metadata and OPRA
Jonathan Frodella's article, "Recent Court Decisions Concerning Metadata and OPRA," was published in the December 28, 2020 issue of The New Jersey Law Journal.
December 9, 2020
OPRA and FOIA Requests: How, Why, Where
Jonathan Frodella will speak on "OPRA and FOIA Requests: How, Why, Where."
December 1, 2020
Former Morris County Prosecutor Joins Laddey, Clark & Ryan, LLP
Former Morris County Prosecutor, Fred Knapp, Esq., has joined Laddey, Clark & Ryan, LLP as Senior Counsel.
November 18, 2020
Variances: Proofs and Case Law
Ursula Leo presented "Variances: Proofs and Case Law," today for The New Jersey Planning Officials at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities 105th Annual Conference.
July 14, 2020
Governor Murphy signs the Permit Extension Act of 2020 into Law to toll certain State and Local permits and approvals
On July 1, 2020, Governor Murphy signed the Permit Extension Act of 2020, supplementing Title 40 of the Revised Statutes, (the "Act") into law...
April 16, 2020
Laddey, Clark & Ryan's COVID-19 Advisory Team Expands to Serve Community's Needs
One month into the COVID-19 crisis, Laddey Clark & Ryan continues to ramp up its COVID-19 LCR Advisory practice to serve the expanding and continually evolving needs of the community...
April 9, 2020
Local Government Advisory
June 2nd Primary Election postponed until July 7th...
March 25, 2020
Choice of Electronic Forum for Open Public Meetings
The COVID-19 Bill Package amended the Open Public Meetings Act to allow public bodies to conduct meetings and receive public comments by means of electronic communication during a state of emergency, public health emergency or state of local disaster emergency...
March 22, 2020
Governor Murphy's Executive Order 108
On March 21, 2020, Governor Murphy signed Executive Orders 107 and 108 in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. Executive Order 107 essentially directs residents to remain home except when seeking essential services. This Executive order also defines essential services...
March 11, 2020
Ursula Leo and Jonathan Frodella Present Ethics Seminar
Ursula Leo and Jonathan Frodella are making a presentation on...
March 11, 2020
Kadkoy Joins Laddey, Clark & Ryan
Shan Kadkoy has joined Laddey Clark & Ryan LLP as an associate, concentrating his practice in Wills, Trusts & Estates and Government Services...
November 20, 2019
Attorneys Present at 104th Annual New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference
Two Laddey Clark & Ryan attorneys presented programs...
October 9, 2019
Conflicting Standards for Disclosure of Domestic Violence Records Under OPRA
Published by the New Jersey Law Journal Vol. 225 No. 40. Written by Jonathan N. Frodella, Esq.
October 1, 2019
Leo and Frodella to Speak at New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference
Two Laddey Clark & Ryan attorneys will present programs at the 104th Annual New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference, entitled...
August 20, 2019
Zoning Board Members May Be Disqualified Based on Their Positions in the Mayor's Association
New Jersey Holds Zoning Board Members May Be Disqualified Based on Their Positions in the Mayor's Association when the Mayor Actively Campaigned Against Variance Application. The New Jersey Appellate Division recently held...
July 16, 2019
Ryan Appointed Jefferson Township Attorney
Having campaigned on a platform of change, Jefferson Township's recently elected Mayor Eric Wilsusen appointed Thomas N. Ryan, Esq. as Township Attorney. Ryan, Managing Partner of Laddey Clark & Ryan, is a member...
May 24, 2019
Two Laddey Clark & Ryan Attorneys to Speak at New Jersey State Bar Association 2019 Annual Meeting and Convention
Two Laddey Clark & Ryan attorneys will be speakers at the New Jersey State Bar Association 2019 Annual Meeting and Convention, May 15-17, in Atlantic City.
May 9, 2019
Frodella to Present at State Bar Annual Meeting
Jonathan Frodella, Attorney with Laddey, Clark & Ryan, LLP, will be presenting...
April 29, 2019
OPRA Forms and Indictable Offense Certifications
Published by Municipal Clerk's Association of New Jersey "The Quill". Written by Jonathan N. Frodella, Esq.
April 23, 2019
Leo Addresses Government Finance Officers Association
Ursula H. Leo, a Partner with the law firm, Laddey Clark & Ryan LLP, and Chair of the firm's Employment/Labor Practice and Government Services Groups, was a speaker at...
February 8, 2019
Open Public Records Act
The Sussex County Municipal Clerk's Association has invited Jonathan Frodella to speak at its March 21 meeting about the Open …
January 8, 2019
Laddey, Clark & Ryan Attorneys Address Municipal Clerks
Several attorneys from Laddey Clark & Ryan, LLP addressed the Municipal Clerk Association of New Jersey (MCANJ) at its annual …