After 40 years, Newark law firm is headed to suburbs

Law firm McManimon & Scotland LLC is moving its main office out of Newark on June 1 after 40 years, citing the high cost of doing business in the city, according to the firm's chairman.

"It really came down to an economic decision. We try really hard to provide our clients with the most cost-effective legal work, particularly because we have a lot of public-sector clients, and moving out of the city was just significantly less expensive," said Joseph P. Baumann Jr., chairman of McManimon & Scotland.

Baumann said the firm, with 26 partners and attorneys, would have preferred to stay in Newark, but at the new home in Roseland, the firm will save on many expenses, including rent, payroll taxes and parking.

"When you add all those things together the savings are pretty dramatic," Baumann said.

The firm did not pursue incentives to keep its principal office in Newark, according to Baumann.

The firm, which specializes in public finance for public-private partnerships and redevelopment among other areas, will take up new residence at 75 Livingston Ave., in Roseland, but will maintain a smaller presence at the Legal Center on Raymond Boulevard, Baumann said.

The firm, which will change its name to McManimon, Scotland & Baumann LLC on June 1, worked on aspects of Newark's arena and downtown redevelopment project, and more recently, on the Teacher's Village project, Baumann said.