Mayor Emily B. Jabbour today announced that Arlene Quiñones Perez will now serve as the City of Hoboken’s Corporation Counsel, following the unanimous consent of the Hoboken City Council during the Jan. 15 Council meeting.
Quiñones Perez brings extensive experience in municipal, labor, and regulatory law. She also previously served as a City Councilmember in Clinton, New Jersey, giving her firsthand understanding of the legal and legislative needs of local governing bodies.
The appointment of Quiñones Perez, an equity partner at DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP and the firm’s Director of Diversity & Inclusion, will also provide the City with immediate access to a broad multidisciplinary legal team of attorneys and paralegals capable of supporting the Administration and Council with draft legislation, contract negotiations, procurement, litigation management, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, the City anticipates that this new organizational model for the law office will result in estimated annual savings of more than $150,000 in taxpayer money. The team will also include Hannah Cunning Valente, an Associate in the firm’s labor and employment practice group, and a fifth-generation Hoboken resident.
“Arlene’s deep experience in municipal law and her practical understanding of local government will be a tremendous asset to Hoboken,” said Mayor Jabbour. “With the support of Hannah and a broader team behind her, our City will gain additional resources while also delivering meaningful savings for taxpayers. I’m excited to welcome her to this role and look forward to working with her as we continue to strengthen Hoboken’s legal and legislative foundation.”
“Arlene is going to be a great fit for Hoboken,” said Council President Ruben Ramos. “I've had the opportunity to work with her in the past and I know firsthand that she is highly experienced and will develop strong, productive relationships with my Council colleagues. The Council relies on good, practical legal advice when we're working through ordinances and policy issues, and Arlene’s expertise will help us get things done the right way. Having Hannah on the team, a resident who really knows and loves Hoboken, is also a big plus. I am confident in Mayor Jabbour’s choice, and I look forward to working with them in the months ahead.”
“I’m honored by the trust Mayor Jabbour and the City Council have placed in me,” said Quiñones Perez. “Hoboken is a vibrant and engaged community, and I look forward to working collaboratively with the Administration and Council to provide sound legal guidance that supports transparency, equity, and effective governance.”
Mayor Jabbour also thanked outgoing Corporation Counsel Brian Aloia and Assistant Corporation Counsels Alyssa Wells and Shanna Cushnie for their collective years of dedicated service.
“I want to sincerely thank Brian Aloia and his team for their leadership and commitment to Hoboken over the past decade,” said Mayor Jabbour. “Brian has been a strong legal partner to both the Council and the Administration. While we will miss his guidance, we wish him all the best on his next chapter.”
