Seal of the City of Orange Township

LAW DEPARTMENT
29 North Day Street
Orange, NJ 07050
973-266-4197

Marvin T. Braker, City Attorney
Louis Childress, Jr., Assistant Municipal Attorney
Connie McGhee, Asst. Municipal Prosecutor
Ann Marie Catalano, Administrative Secretary
Beatrice Cesario, Legal Secretary

Summary of Major Functions

  • Advise The Mayor on The Form & Sufficiency of all Resolutions & Ordinances
  • Review And Approve All Contracts, Deeds & Documents On Behalf of The City of Orange Township
  • Conduct Appeals From Orders, Decisions or Judgments
  • Enter Into Agreements, Compromises, or Settlements Subject To Council Approval
  • Render Legal Opinions To The Mayor, Business Administrator & Department Heads
  • Maintain Records of All Legal Actions
  • Conduct Prosecutions As Required
  • Administer the Municipal Insurance Fund

General Description

The City's Law Department manages all of the City’s legal affairs.  The City Attorney generally oversees the activities of attorneys serving the City on various boards and commissions, as well as a Labor Attorney, and the Municipal Prosecutor.  Some municipal attorneys are in private practice and serve the City on a part-time basis.  The City Code of Ethics bars each of the appointed attorneys, and other members of their firms, from appearing before any City agency, board, or department on behalf of private clients.

In addition to litigation, the members of the Department serve the municipal government in a variety of ways.  The City Attorney attends all meetings of the City Council and renders advisory opinions to municipal appointed and elected officials.  The City attorneys facilitate the business of government, including the drafting public contracts and local laws.

The Municipal Prosecutor and the Public Defender attend all sessions of the Municipal Court, where the Prosecutor presents all criminal charges on behalf of the City and the Police Department.  The Public Defender assists those defendants who cannot afford legal counsel. 

General Information

For matters involving the Municipal Insurance Fund Commission, please contact:  Ann Marie Catalano, Secretary at 973-266-4197.
For matters involving Alcohol Beverage Control, please contact: Mary Williams, Board Secretary at 973-266-4111 ext. 5003

To arrange for an Attorney to speak before your school, classroom, civic group, or block association, please contact Ms. Ann Marie Catalano, Secretary, at the above number.  We will be glad to arrange for an attorney to appear at your event or before your particular group.

 

 

 

 

 
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City of Orange Township • 29 N Day Street • Orange, NJ 07050 • (973) 266-4000