I don't know anything about that area specifically, but I think an architect and engineer just has to sign off on the design for it to be accepted by local building codes.

We need to find a good architect for this project as well as a good contractor to do the workAny recommendations for an architect and a contractor that work in Bergen County, NJ will be much appreciated.

Is the design up to the contractor or do you hire an architect or interior designer?

You should find a local architect that can provide direction on that front. 

Your architect may or may not be a member. 

I am a licensed architect living and working in California.

Instead, our civil engineer is handling the permitting/approvals on the planning/tract map side and our architect will be handling the same for the building & safety side. 

I am working with an architect on an 11,000 sf R1 lot I have in Los Angeles CA90065 He says he can build two houses on the lot due to the size.

There are several legal entities that are granted the privilege to perform business under an assumed name and to isolate personal liability:Corporations, all formsLLC, a special formLLP, a professional form of CorpAlthough found in many business fields, the LLP is an especially popular form of organization among professionals, particularly lawyers, accountants, and architects. 

The best-known professionals who need E&O insurance are doctors, lawyers, accountants, architects, engineers, etc.