Almeida named chief counsel of N.J. EDA

Current deputy chief counsel to governor will head the EDA’s legal affairs and compliance division, overseeing governance, regulatory frameworks and risk management initiatives

Lisa Almeida, a deputy chief counsel in the office of the governor, will assume the role of chief counsel of the N.J. Economic Development Authority, effective Jan. 27.

Almeida will succeed Jignasa Desai-McCleary, who had been serving as interim chief counsel over the past several months.

In her new role, Almeida will head the EDA’s legal affairs and compliance division, overseeing governance, regulatory frameworks and risk management initiatives. She also will serve on the executive committee and report to CEO Tim Sullivan.

Sullivan, in a memo to the staff announcing the hire, gave Almeida much praise.

“Lisa brings a wealth of legal expertise and leadership experience that will be vital as we continue to advance our mission of driving sustainable and equitable economic development across New Jersey,” he wrote. “Her deep expertise spans public policy, legal strategy and risk management, making her an exceptional leader in navigating intricate legal and organizational frameworks.”

As deputy chief counsel in the governor’s office, Almeida oversaw legislative activity, developed executive orders and provided strategic legal guidance on diverse policy areas including economic development, energy, education and public health.

As a senior member of the governor’s budget team, she has negotiated multi-billion-dollar budgets and worked on policy implementation with key stakeholders across the state.

Prior to that role, Almeida served as senior counsel in the governor’s office, where she advised on complex litigation and regulatory matters, and as a deputy attorney general in the environmental enforcement section, where she led state and federal court litigation and developed critical regulatory programs.

Sullivan wrote that he feels Almeida will be a perfect fit for the upcoming year.

“Lisa’s extensive experience and her deep commitment to public service will serve as an invaluable resource as we continue our efforts to drive meaningful economic growth for New Jersey residents, communities, entrepreneurs and businesses,” he wrote.

“As we continue into 2025 at full speed, I remain in awe of the work that this team has accomplished — and continues to accomplish — every single day. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, and the trust placed in us by Governor Murphy and the legislature, we have made extraordinary progress in growing New Jersey’s economy.

“This progress has enabled us to attract and build a deep bench of leaders who will advance our mission and drive even greater economic opportunities for the state. I am so incredibly excited to see what we will achieve together going forward.”

Almeida earned her Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law, where she graduated with honors, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Utah. She is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.