*This article originally appeared in the January 2025 issue of NJ Municipalities Magazine
William John “Bill” Kearns Jr., Esq., has retired after serving with distinction as General Counsel to the New Jersey State League of Municipalities for more than four decades, and was named General Counsel Emeritus at the December NJLM Executive Board meeting. Throughout his career, Kearns has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing municipal law and local government interests in New Jersey, serving as Municipal Attorney for numerous municipalities including Willingboro Township, where he served for over 50 years. He is currently Of Counsel at Helmer Conley & Kasselman.
Since graduating from Saint Peter’s University and Rutgers University School of Law-Newark, Kearns has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and dedication to public service. He is a Past President of the Burlington County Bar Association and a Past President and Director Emeritus for Life of the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce. During his career, he has served as the Municipal Attorney for Beverly City, Bordentown Township, Delanco Township, Edgewater Park Township, Florence Township, and Willingboro Town ship. He has served as counsel to other public bodies. He has held public office as a member of the Willingboro Township Council and as Mayor of Willingboro. In August 2009, he was appointed as a member of the NJ Governor’s Task Force on Local Government Ethics. He served as Attorney for the Transition Task Force preparing for the consolidation of Princeton Borough and Princeton Town ship into a single municipality.
Kearns has been a pillar of municipal law education in New Jersey, regularly conducting educational sessions at the League’s Annual Conference, authoring numerous articles for the New Jersey Municipalities magazine and contributing to various League publications on municipal law. He has served as Chair of the Local Government Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association and has been recognized as a preeminent authority on the Open Public Meetings Act, the Local Public Contracts Law, and numerous other areas of municipal law. Most recently, he was honored at the League Conference with the Public Sector Career Recognition Award, which is presented to individuals who have devoted their professional lives to excellence in Local Government, providing municipal officials with assistance, innovations, and guidance.
Kearns has played an instrumental role in drafting and reviewing significant municipal legislation, providing testimony before legislative committees, serving as the League’s representative on various stakeholder groups, and working tirelessly to protect the interests of New Jersey’s 564 municipalities. His expertise and counsel have been invaluable in helping municipalities navigate complex legal challenges, including interpretation of state statutes, compliance with regulations, and adaptation to evolving municipal law.
“The League is profoundly grateful and appreciative of Kearns’ exemplary service as General Counsel and his countless contributions to the advancement of municipal government in New Jersey. We thank him wholeheartedly for his lifetime of work toward the betterment and the benefit of New Jersey’s local governments,” said League Executive Director Michael Cerra.
