Farrah Irving confirmed as Paterson law director
By Jayed Rahman
Published: December 19, 2019
Farrah Irving was confirmed by the City Council on Tuesday night to serve as the city’s law director.
Members of the City Council approved her confirmation without opposition.
“I think the corporation council has shown her independence,” said longtime councilman William McKoy.
Irving showed her independence in October, when some members of the City Council pushed to hire aides. She warned them hiring aides for some and not all members could constitute a conflict of interest for those members voting in favor and getting aides.
Mayor Andre Sayegh appointed Irving as acting law director in July. She replaced former law director Khalifah Shabazz-Charles, who worked in the Sayegh administration for 13 months.
Irving worked as chief municipal prosecutor and assistant township attorney in Irvington. Before that she worked as township attorney in Hillside, there she managed the law department as director and was chief legal counsel.
Irving has a law degree from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. She is a partner in the Law Firm of Irving and Mendenhall.
Payroll records show Irving’s salary at $122,000.
Irving faced scrutiny for a misconduct reprimand issued by the New Jersey Supreme Court after her appointment by the mayor.
Irving is the sister of former school board member Christopher Irving, who remains influential in local politics through his connections to various Board of Education members and Democratic Party officials.
Email: [email protected]