Emilia Perez is the General Counsel for the Newark Housing Authority (“NHA”). Ms. Perez is a seasoned attorney with extensive experience across a broad range of legal practice areas. Prior to joining the NHA, Ms. Perez served as the First Assistant Corporation Counsel and previously as the Chief of Litigation for the City of Newark Law Department. In these roles, she managed teams of attorneys and provided strategic legal counsel to City leadership, including the Mayor, the fire and police departments, and municipal employees.
Ms. Perez’s areas of expertise include civil litigation, municipal law, employment matters, civil rights, wrongful death, premises liability, contractual disputes, affirmative litigation against commercial property owners, litigation arising out of real estate transactions, among other. She has litigated cases before New Jersey state courts, including the New Jersey Supreme Court, the United States District Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Additionally, Ms. Perez served as an Assistant Municipal Prosecutor at the Newark Municipal Court. Ms. Perez has also served a Municipal Court Judge in Newark, Irvington, and throughout Essex County.
As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic from very humble beginnings who came to New Jersey at the age of eight, Ms. Perez has overcome many challenges in her journey and has remained deeply committed to community service. She is passionate about giving back, mentoring others, and inspiring future leaders, especially women, as well as individuals from diverse backgrounds. She has served on the boards of various organizations and participated in numerous community-centered initiatives locally, statewide, nationally, and even internationally.
Ms. Perez’s dedication to excellence and her impact on the community have earned her numerous awards and formal recognition throughout her career. She takes pride in being a trailblazer and breaking glass ceilings: Ms. Perez is the First Dominican immigrant appointed to the Newark Municipal Court, the first Latina to serve as Municipal Court Judge in the City of Irvington, the first Latina to hold the position of First Assistant Corporation Counsel in Newark, and now the first Latina General Counsel of the NHA.
She is committed to making a positive difference, firmly believing that with hard work and perseverance, any goal is achievable.