Governor Phil Murphy has nominated Matthew J. Platkin, partner in Lowenstein Sandler’s White Collar Criminal Defense and Business Litigation practices, to serve as New Jersey’s 62nd Attorney General, the highest law enforcement position in the state.
The Governor’s announcement can be read here.
At Lowenstein, Platkin represents clients in white collar matters and business disputes. His experience in the highest levels of state government gives him a unique perspective and exemplary litigation, investigation, management, and strategic skills that he applies to a broad spectrum of corporate matters and individual clients.
Before joining Lowenstein, Platkin served as Chief Counsel to Gov. Murphy, for whom he reviewed and approved all legislation and executive and administrative actions, supervised investigations, and coordinated with the Attorney General’s office on a variety of affirmative litigation matters.
As Chief Counsel, Platkin oversaw all legal matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic for the State of New Jersey, including executive and administrative orders pertaining to the state’s emergency response to the pandemic, as well as the management of all state and federal litigations arising from the pandemic, which he accomplished without losing a single matter.
In January 2020, Platkin took a leave from the Office of the Governor to serve as Special Counsel to U.S. Senator Cory Booker during the impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump.
In a statement, Governor Murphy says: “It is my honor and pleasure to nominate Matt Platkin to serve as the 62nd Attorney General of the State of New Jersey. As I look toward the upcoming four years and the challenges that lay ahead, I know that as Attorney General, Matt will stand up for our New Jersey values and keep the office, and our state, moving forward. Matt will continue the strong record of the Attorney General’s Office’s during my first term and I look forward to working with him in this new role.”
“I am honored and humbled to serve as New Jersey’s next Attorney General,” says Platkin, “I commit to work tirelessly, alongside the 7,700 outstanding public servants who make up the Department of Law and Public Safety, to protect and defend the rights of all nine million people who call our state home. I thank Governor Murphy for the trust and confidence he has placed in me, and I am excited to get to work.”
Lowenstein Chair and Managing Partner Gary M. Wingens, says: ““We are so proud of Matt. His commitment to public service is in the finest tradition of this firm. He will become the third Lowenstein partner to serve as Attorney General of New Jersey this century, joining Chris Porrino, who served from 2016—2018; Zulima V. Farber, who served in 2006; and Anne Milgram, who joined us after her stint as Attorney General from 2007 -2010, and who left the firm in 2021 when she was appointed by President Biden as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration."
Christopher Porrino, who was appointed by Governor Christie as the 60th Attorney General of New Jersey, and is now Chair of Lowenstein’s Litigation practice, says: “I applaud Governor Murphy’s choice of Matt Platkin as Attorney General. I met Matt in late 2017 while he was transitioning into the role of Chief Counsel to the Governor and I was finishing my term as Attorney General. Since then, I have had the privilege of calling Matt my friend and, more recently, my Lowenstein Sandler partner. I have worked as closely with Matt as I have with anyone, and I can say —without reservation— that Matt is an absolutely brilliant lawyer and strategist. He will serve our state extraordinarily well, and I look forward to his swift confirmation as New Jersey’s 62nd Attorney General.”
The nomination will go before the New Jersey Senate for confirmation.
About Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Lowenstein Sandler LLP is a national law firm with over 350 lawyers based in New York, Palo Alto, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington, D.C. The firm represents leaders in virtually every sector of the global economy, with particular emphasis on investment funds, life sciences, and technology. Recognized for its entrepreneurial spirit and high standard of client service, the firm is committed to the interests of its clients, colleagues, and communities.
