Past President

William M. Cox
William M. Cox graduated from Syracuse University and Cornell Law School. He served in the United States Army during World War II, on the staff of General Douglas MacArthur. Upon admission to the Bar in 1950, he became associated with the Newton law firm of Dolan & Dolan, P.A. and was a Senior Member of the firm until his retirement in December of 2009. He was one of the leaders of the successful movement that lead to the adoption of Counsel-Manager form of government in Newton in 1956, and thereafter acted as Newton Town Attorney from 1956 to 1971. During his career, he was an attorney for eight other municipalities in Sussex County, as well as numerous land use boards in Sussex, Warren, Morris, Somerset and Essex Counties. In 1966, Mr. Cox published the first edition of handbook designed for members of Zoning Boards of Adjustment, which became known as “Zoning and Land Use Administration in New Jersey,” now published annually by Gann Law Books of Newark. The book is a primary reference work for board members, attorneys and the courts in land use matters. He also served as an adjunct professor of land use administration for Rutgers for 30 years. Mr. Cox was a member of the Sussex County Bar Association, serving as President from 1973 to 1974, and of the New Jersey and American Associations. He served as General Counsel for New Jersey Planning Officials from 1976 to 1993, and was a member and Past President of the New Jersey Institute of Municipal Attorneys (now NJILGA). In 1969, he was appointed by the New Jersey State League of Municipalities to a committee set to draw up the new land use law for the State. The Municipal Land Use Law resulted from the committee’s efforts and was enacted by the legislature in 1975. The drafting committee still functions to advise on amendments to the act when problems have developed. Mr. Cox was Chairman of the Committee from 1993 to 1998 and was the recipient of a Resolution of Appreciation from the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly in 1994. He also served on leadership positions in numerous other professional, religious, community and non-profit organizations, and received many awards and recognitions during his long and distinguished career. The William M. Cox Award was established by NJILGA in honor of Mr. Cox, to recognize an attorney or judge who has distinguished him/herself in the field of land use law.