Our Team

Biography

Jessica F. Silva concentrates her practice in the areas of municipal law, public contracts/ government procurement, construction law (including design-build projects), affordable housing, cannabis, litigation, and labor and employment law.

Jessica’s practice focuses on all aspects of municipal government work and the representation of public bodies. She assists in the Firm’s role as general, special, COAH, and labor counsel to numerous municipalities, counties, authorities, and other public entities throughout the State of New Jersey. Jessica assists in all manner of local government practice and representation including but not limited to routine daily governance advice, preparation of legislation, public contracts and procurement, labor and employment matters, public utility issues, litigation, redevelopment, affordable housing, and cannabis matters.

To this end, she has also helped advise municipalities and other public entities as to a range of issues with respect to New Jersey’s recreational cannabis sector, including municipal land use and zoning as well as regulatory and employment issues. Jessica devotes a portion of her time to monitoring, analyzing, and remaining at the forefront of developments in New Jersey’s legal cannabis industry to ensure that clients always remain well-equipped to tackle this new and rapidly changing industry.

Jessica has a breadth of experience with respect to labor and employment matters,  including compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, employee benefits issues, drafting of employee manuals, handbooks, and policies, the collective bargaining process, and litigation. Jessica advises on a broad range of matters including but not limited to federal and state law issues, hiring/recruitment, overtime, leaves of absence, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, disciplinary actions, terminations, union issues, and worker classification matters.

Jessica received her B.A., cum laude, in Political Science and Business Administration from Seton Hall University, where she was a University Scholar. During her time at Seton Hall, she was inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, Phi Alpha Delta’s Society of Scholars, and served as Phi Alpha Delta’s community service chair. She also served as associate editor of Seton Hall University’s Political Analysis Journal.

Jessica received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, where she was a Riccio Scholar and Deehan Scholar. While at Seton Hall Law, Jessica was awarded the Appellate Advocacy Best Brief Award and served as associate editor of, and was a published author in, the Seton Hall Legislative Journal.

Jessica has received certification in: (i) Public Sector Labor Relations; and (ii) Negotiation, Arbitration, and Conflict Resolution, both from the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations.

Jessica has been named as a “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America” for Labor and Employment Law – Management, and as a “New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Star” for Government Contracts.

Jessica is admitted to practice in the State of New Jersey and the State of New York.