Prior to joining O’Toole Scrivo, Ms. Baker served as Chief Counsel to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). This independent state authority provides financing and tax incentives to New Jersey businesses to retain and grow jobs and revitalize communities through redevelopment initiatives. She also served as Chief Compliance/Ethics Officer for NJ Transit, the largest statewide public transit system in the United States. Previously, she served on the Executive Leadership teams of three New Jersey Attorneys General, most recently as Chief Counsel to the Attorney General. In addition, Ms. Baker served as the Accountability Officer for both NJEDA and NJ Transit, liaising with the Governor’s Disaster Recovery Office and the Office of the State Comptroller and overseeing the responsible disbursement of billions of dollars in COVID recovery funds. Prior to government service, she served as Executive Counsel to an international real estate services company and as a partner in an AmLaw100 firm.
Ms. Baker’s extensive experience spans a diverse range of practice areas. She has handled complex commercial and business litigation, employment, procurement/public bidding and government contracting, legal and regulatory compliance, governmental affairs, internal investigations, and real estate and land use. She has appeared before state and federal trial and appellate courts and arbitration tribunals and has argued before the New Jersey Supreme Court. She also served as a mediator for the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey.
In addition to her legal experience, Ms. Baker has overseen a Human Relations department and understands and appreciates the perspectives of both employees and employers. She counsels clients on all aspects of the employment relationship, providing general employment advice and counseling, assisting with employee manuals and handbooks, conducting investigations, assisting with legal compliance, and resolving disputes. She also provides management and employee training.
Matters
- Represented the State of New Jersey in a successful appeal to the N.J. Supreme Court in a public contract bidding dispute.
- Represented the State of New Jersey in connection with large federally funded infrastructure projects.
- Represented real estate developer in a Mount Laurel action involving scarce resource restraints.
- Represented residential real estate developer in an action in lieu of prerogative writs involving constitutional challenges to public meeting and claims under the Municipal Land Use Law.
- Represented commercial real estate developer in an action involving challenges under National Historic Preservation Act to redevelop historic property.
- Represented a residential real estate developer in an action in lieu of prerogative writs involving challenges to municipal agreement, zoning ordinance amendment, and subdivision approvals.
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Memberships & Affiliations
- New Jersey State Bar Association, Member; Board of Trustees (1998-2000, 2003-2007)
- New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, Board of Directors (2006-2010, 2020-2022)
- Court-Appointed Special Advocates of Mercer & Burlington Counties, Board of Trustees (2007-2011); President (2012-2017)
- New Jersey Lawyer, Inc., Board of Directors (2005-2008)
- American Bar Association, House of Delegates (2007)
Government Service
New Jersey Economic Development Authority
- Chief Counsel (2024)
- Chief Legal & Administrative Officer (2022-2024)
- Chief Legal & Strategic Officer (2021-2022)
- Senior Vice President (2019-2021)
NJ Transit
- Chief Compliance/Ethics Officer (2017-2019)
New Jersey Office of the Attorney General
- Assistant Attorney General in Charge (2017)
- Chief Counsel to the Attorney General (2016)
- Assistant Attorney General (2014-2015)