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Profile

Ms. Suárez serves as the Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Director of the Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) and Local Finance Board Chairwoman. In this role, Ms. Suárez advocates for local government interests, revitalizing the Division’s supportive initiatives and developing grant programs. She also oversees the financial and operational regulations of New Jersey local units to help ensure fiscal solvency.

Prior to joining the Division in 2021, Suárez served as Associate Counsel to Governor Murphy. In that capacity, she counseled the Governor on matters affecting his administration, including pending legislation, statutory responsibilities, litigation, the development of administrative regulations, and proposals impacting the Governor’s public policy agenda. She also drafted legislation, executive orders, vetoes, administrative orders and regulations and negotiated with legislators, departments, and stakeholders regarding pending legislation and policy initiatives with a focus on the Departments of Community Affairs, Human Services, Children and Families, and the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Prior to her work in the Governor’s Office, she was DCA’s point person for all communication with the State Legislature, including the Department’s official position on legislation and legislative inquiries. She also drafted bill language, spearheaded the implementation of newly signed legislation at DCA, and helped review and advise the Department on decisions, orders, settlements, and other matters that impacted DCA. Ms. Suárez, a New Jersey native, earned her Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law in Camden and her bachelor’s degree in communications, legal institutions, economics, and government from American University in Washington D.C. She is a member of the New Jersey and New York bars.

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