Municipal Law | Respond Law

"What To Do When Things Go Wrong"

On February 2, 2018

By Dennis M. Galvin Published in New Jersey Municipalities, November, 2013 Every night, when we have a public meeting, we think about how best to conduct it. It is not possible to manage every aspect of a meeting. Some people feel that any attempt to manage a meeting undermines public participation. After all, public participation […]

On February 2, 2018

By Dennis M. Galvin, Esq. Published in New Jersey Municipalities, November 2011 Based upon my experience, the overwhelming majority of New Jersey’s appointed and elected officials are in office for one reason and one reason only: to serve the public. The best officials among us are never compensated adequately for the time they invest in […]

On February 2, 2018

By Dennis M. Galvin, Esq. Published in New Jersey Lawyer, August, 2008 Our Democracy depends on the character of our elected officials. From time to time all governments need to examine their conduct and when necessary, undertake reasonable reforms. One can only imagine what image Thomas Nast would cast in response to New Jersey’s current […]

NJ Supreme Court Addresses Application of Open Public Records Act to Electronically Stored Information

On June 23, 2017

Decision Allows for Easier Access to Data Earlier this week, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued a decision which will require public agencies, including municipalities, throughout New Jersey to respond to requests for, and potentially to compile lists or reports containing, electronic information stored by the public agency. On June 20, 2017, the New Jersey […]

Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds: Investor Risk or Compensable Broker Malfeasance?

On May 5, 2017

As widely reported for the Puerto Rico municipal bond crisis, the Island of Puerto Rico has indicated that it will file for bankruptcy protection. The initial attraction of municipal bonds to investors is the tax-free income. States that issue bonds also exempt their bonds from state income tax for residents of their state (unless otherwise […]

Conflict of Interest: Two New and Critical Questions for Governing Body Members

On October 21, 2015

If you are a municipal governing body or board member, you need to constantly assess potential conflicts of interest and whether you have a disqualifying interest that would prohibit you from considering a land use ordinance or application. Failure to do so could cause your municipality to be embroiled in litigation and can void the […]

Not All Documents Need To Be Open Before An Open Public Meeting

On August 21, 2015

News for public board members (and their audiences): the Sunshine Law does not require public bodies to make all documents referenced in their agendas available to the public prior to a meeting. A recent published decision by the Appellate Division,Opderbeck v. Midland Park Board of Education, No. A-2520-13T3, reversed a decision by the trial court […]

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"What To Do When Things Go Wrong"

"Honor Does Not Come in a Brown Paper Bag"

"Pay-to-play ordinances: logical, effective, legal"

NJ Supreme Court Addresses Application of Open Public Records Act to Electronically Stored Information

Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds: Investor Risk or Compensable Broker Malfeasance?

Conflict of Interest: Two New and Critical Questions for Governing Body Members

Not All Documents Need To Be Open Before An Open Public Meeting