Mercer County Counsel - Trenton, NJ

Office of the County Counsel

Legal Representation for County Government

The Mercer County Counsel acts as the chief legal advisor and attorney for the County of Mercer. Located in the Joyce McDade Administration Building at 640 South Broad Street, this department represents the County Executive, the Board of County Commissioners, and all county departments in civil legal matters. The office is responsible for prosecuting and defending all civil actions brought by or against the county, including tort claims, workers' compensation cases, and labor disputes. Important Note: This office represents the government entity only; it does not provide legal advice to private citizens, nor does it represent individuals in criminal or civil court.

Legislative and Contractual Services

A significant portion of the counsel's work involves the drafting and review of legal documents essential to county operations. This includes preparing resolutions and ordinances for the Board of Commissioners, reviewing vendor contracts for goods and services, and ensuring compliance with the Local Public Contracts Law. The office also handles matters related to Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests that involve complex legal privileges.

Location and Access

The office is situated on the second floor (Suite 201) of the county administration building. Visitors wishing to file a Notice of Tort Claim or deliver legal papers must do so during business hours. Security protocols are in effect at the building entrance, requiring all visitors to pass through metal detectors and present valid identification. The facility is accessible via NJ Transit bus routes running along Broad Street.