Over the last several years, New Jersey has enacted a number of legislative measures focused on expanding the state's enforcement powers under various state employment laws. Now, the state is looking to hire private attorneys to assist with its enforcement efforts. Recently, the New Jersey Office of Attorney General issued a request for qualifications (RFQ), seeking applications from attorneys interested in serving as special counsel for affirmative labor enforcement and worker protection litigation.
According to the RFQ, the firms or attorneys selected as special counsel will:
[H]andle all aspects of providing representation to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development... the Attorney General, and/or other State officials, entities, or agencies in matters related to affirmative labor enforcement and worker protection litigation.
This includes, but is not limited to, initiating civil litigation under the state's Wage & Hour Law, Wage Payment Law, Unemployment Compensation Law, Child Labor Law, Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act, Prevailing Wage Act, the New Jersey Antitrust Act "and/or other relevant laws and regulations." The state is accepting RFQ submissions through August 17, 2023.
Given that Attorney General Matthew Platkin intends to retain private lawyers to aid the state with enforcement of various employment laws, employers can expect more employment litigation brought by the government for violations of worker rights.
Kim Se-ui, left, and Kim Soo-hyun / Xportsnews A year after actor Kim Soo-hyun broke down in tears at a high-profile press conference over allegations involving late actress Kim Sae-ron, the contr...