Jersey City Mayor James Solomon has named Sarah Levine, a former New Jersey deputy attorney general, as the city’s corporation counsel as of Monday.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Sarah’s combination of legal excellence, public service, and deep roots in Jersey City makes her the ideal person to lead our Law Department,” Solomon said in a statement.
“Her track record of taking on complex cases and winning, her experience as a deputy attorney general, and her commitment to fighting for working families align perfectly with our administration’s values. Sarah understands that the corporation counsel must be a strong legal advisor, an effective manager, and a tireless advocate for Jersey City residents.”
Levine is a Jersey City Heights native who now lives in Ward F and is also a graduate of McNair Academic High School, as well as Yale Law School.
She has successfully litigated cases against major corporations including Amazon for misleading consumers, pursued billionaires for failing to pay income taxes, represented workers exploited by their employers, and fought the federal government to obtain Guantanamo prisoner records under freedom of information laws.
Levine was also involved in in passing Jersey City’s Right-to-Counsel legislation and the ban on rent-fixing algorithms, both moves that were spearheaded by then-Ward E Councilman James Solomon on the city council.
“I am honored to serve my hometown as Corporation Counsel. Jersey City is a dynamic, diverse city that deserves a Law Department that is both excellent and accountable,” she added.
“I look forward to working with Mayor Solomon, the City Council, and all city departments to provide sound legal guidance, manage litigation effectively, and ensure that our city government operates with integrity and in the best interests of all residents.”
As corporation counsel, Levine will manage the City’s Law Department, oversee all civil litigation, draft and review ordinances and contracts, and provide legal counsel on municipal policy.
Since winning the December 2nd runoff against former Gov. Jim McGreevey, Solomon has announced the key members of the mayor’s office, Acting Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose, Communications Director Nathaniel Styer, Chief of Staff Laura Bustamante, and Deputy Chief of Staff Kristel Mejia-Asqui.
