Experience

• 

  James J. Damato, Esq.

  • Chatham, NJ

  • Attorney at Law

    • Oct 1990 - Present
    • Chatham, NJ

    Over 25 years experience serving as General Counsel to public entities; Provide legal opinions on a variety of issues and responsible for handling all legal matters affecting the organization; Experienced in labor relations and other contractual negotiations as well as litigation and settlement of suits and claims in both State and Federal Courts; provide employment advice and training at all levels, responsible for appointment and oversight of all outside counsel assignments; handled all legal review and document preparation for presentation to the governing body for approval; draft bid specifications for complex construction projects and large scale procurements; review and approve all construction submittals including contracts, bonds, insurance, warranties, lien waivers and other documents.

• 

  Various municipalities and school districts

  • New Jersey

  • Public Sector Management Consultant

    • Aug 1980 - Present
    • New Jersey

    Quality consulting services for over 35 years providing internal fact-finding investigation services involving employee misconduct, hostile environment, retaliation, and discrimination claims; Provide general guidance for all risk management issues with particular emphasis on construction issues; Develop district specific bond referendum strategies for successful school district bond referendums; provide advice to correct audit report recommendations; Provide municipalities and school districts consulting services in the areas of collective negotiations, employment training as well as budgetary, accounting, finance and operational matters.

• 

  self employed

  • Mediator/Hearing Officer

    • 2008 - Present

    R. 1:40 Qualified Mediator appointed in a variety of employment and construction disputes achieving settlement in a variety of cases and also provide Hearing Officer services to municipalities and school districts in disciplinary and employment disputes;