Kira S. Dabby

About Kira S. Dabby

Kira S. Dabby concentrates her practice in municipal law, redevelopment law, governmental defense litigation, and complex commercial litigation. A former partner at Archer, Kira has broad litigation, trial and arbitration experience in matters of public entity liability, natural resource damages, employment discrimination, redevelopment law, defamation, fraud, and complex business disputes. Kira also advises government entities with respect to Open Public Meetings Act and Open Public Records Act compliance, leachate and solid waste management, and all aspects of public contracting.

Prior to joining Archer, Kira worked for ten years at Latham & Watkins LLP, where she defended and counseled corporate clients in the professional service, chemical, insurance and food industries. Representative clients include The Dow Chemical Company, Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Union Carbide Corporation, and one of the Big 4 accounting firms. Kira had a lead role in defending one of the first natural resource damage actions to go to trial in the United States, which resulted in a complete defense victory at trial that was affirmed on appeal. Kira continued to defend and counsel clients on natural resource damage claims at Archer, particularly regarding contamination from downstream petroleum operations.

Kira served a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Justice Virginia Long, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey after receiving her law degree from Harvard Law School with honors.  While at law school, Kira served on the Board of Student Advisors and taught legal writing to first year law students.  She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 2001.

 

Representative Matters

• Successfully obtained dismissal of defamation complaint brought against United States Congressman alleging libel and slander with respect to campaign materials.
• Successfully obtained summary judgment dismissing challenge to designation of area in need of redevelopment following 10 years of litigation and community opposition.
• Successfully obtained summary judgment dismissing multiple prisoners’ rights cases against county correctional institution.
• Drafted and negotiated redeveloper and sub-redeveloper agreements for mixed-use residential and commercial redevelopment projects in Jersey City.
• Successfully obtained dismissal of complaint brought by wastewater treatment plant against County of Monmouth in connection with effluent discharged from leachate pre-treatment facility.
• Successfully obtained dismissal of complaint challenging Township of Middletown’s adoption of redevelopment plan to facilitate construction of 120,000 square foot fitness/wellness center, and preserved defense victory through appeal.
• Successfully appealed decision of New Jersey Economic Development Authority, resulting in biotechnology client’s ability to convert $10.9 million of net operating losses into non-dilutive capital for research and development.
• Successfully obtained complete defense victory following a trial on City of Hackensack’s adoption of amended redevelopment plan, including claims of due process, spot zoning, and arbitrary and capricious government action.
• Handled overhaul of solid waste and recycling management program for largest municipality in Monmouth County and successfully defeated bid protest brought by unsuccessful bidder.
• Representing City of Hackensack in multiple lawsuits challenging redevelopment plan that seeks to revitalize City’s downtown while preserving iconic character of historic buildings.
• Represented Township of Middletown in declaratory judgment action and negotiations with Fair Share Housing Center regarding affordable housing obligations under Mount Laurel doctrine.
• Represented County of Monmouth in connection with challenge to environmental permitting decision by NJDEP, including appeal to Office of Administrative Law.
• Served as Board Attorney to the Monmouth County Board of Recreation Commissioners and advised Commissioners on matters pertaining to Monmouth County Park System and 17,000 acres of parkland.
• Represented Monmouth County in multi-year breach of contract dispute with longstanding vendor, successfully resolved through mediation.

Clerkship

• Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Justice Virginia Long, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey