Murphy announces Supreme Court pick

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Gov. Phil Murphy announced his intention to nominate Michael Noriega to the New Jersey Supreme Court during a May 15 event at the State House in Trenton.

The 45-year-old Noriega would fill the seat of Associate Justice Barry Albin, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 last summer.

“Last summer when Justice Barry Albin reached the mandatory retirement age, our Supreme Court lost a legend,” said Murphy during his remarks Monday. “I want to thank him for his service, and I must also thank Judge Jack Sabatino, who has honorably filled his shoes on the Court over the last nine months.”

Before being formally sent to the Senate, Noriega’s nomination will first be go to the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee for approval.

Noriega, an experienced criminal defense and immigration attorney, is a partner at the law firm of Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold, and Mangan LLC, where he has worked since 2014. He also serves as president-elect of the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey.

“If confirmed, Michael would make history as the first former public defender to sit on our state’s Supreme Court,” said Murphy. “In this he would follow in the footsteps of a different Justice – Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson, who became the first former public defender to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court last year.

“Folks, that experience matters,” the governor continued. “Public defenders see firsthand how the law impacts ordinary people. A public defender does not get to choose their clients. More often than not, they represent individuals from our most marginalized communities in their greatest moment of need.”

Born in Weehawken to Peruvian immigrants and raised in Union City, Noriega is a 1995 graduate of St. Peter’s Prep, a 1999 graduate of Rutgers University, and a 2002 graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law.

He lives in Fanwood with his wife, Melissa, and their four daughters, Emma, Abigail, Rebecca and Kathryn.

‘A person of the highest integrity’

“It is with great humility and a deep sense of responsibility that I stand before you today honored to accept the nomination for the position of Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court,” said Noriega. “On behalf of myself and my entire family, thank you for inviting me on this unbelievable journey. There are no words that can fully capture the tremendous privilege I feel in being nominated. I am humbled to find myself, once again, called upon to serve this great state and its people.”

Noriega said that New Jersey’s Supreme Court has received national recognition for its intellectual rigor and forward-thinking decisions, promising to do everything in his power to continue that long and storied tradition.

“I would like to thank Gov. Murphy for this incredible honor, as well as my family, friends, and colleagues who have shaped my life and career,” said Noriega. “To Sen. [Jon] Bramnick, thank you for your steadfast support and I am especially grateful to you for inviting me to be a member of your law firm over these past nine years. The decision changed my life and I would not be who I am today had I not met you.”

“Michael is a person of the highest integrity. Whoever meets him comes away with a great feeling,” said state Sen. Jon Bramnick, R-21st District. “He is extremely sincere, kind, and generous. He has every quality we would want as a Supreme Court Justice.”

“I know that the individuals who are selected to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court will shape our state for decades to come,” said Murphy. “As a former public defender and one of New Jersey’s most highly respected criminal defense and immigration law attorneys, Michael Noriega will bring extensive trial experience and a history of practice across our legal system to the judiciary. In addition to his qualifications, Michael’s character, integrity, and commitment to serving the cause of justice makes him ideally suited to serve on our state’s highest court.”

It is with great humility and a deep sense of responsibility that I stand before you today honored to accept the nomination for the position of Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
– Michael Noriega, criminal defense and immigration attorney

“Michael has dedicated his professional life to serving some of our most vulnerable members of society – especially immigrants with little familiarity navigating our complex legal system,” said Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver. “The New Jersey Supreme Court holds a sacred responsibility as the ultimate layer of protection of the rights of New Jersey residents. I know Michael will bring his unique perspective and experiences to build on that storied tradition.”

“I pray and hope that I have had a sincere positive impact on our legal system and the lives of the people that I have represented over these past 20 years,” said Noriega. “But now, my commitment is to all of the people of New Jersey, as I bring to bear my knowledge and experience to help shoulder this enormous responsibility I am honored to undertake. And it is with that in mind that I accept this nomination, with humility and pride.

“Today I vow to work harder than I have ever worked and to honor my parents’ sacrifice by leaving my mark and upholding our family’s tradition of respect for the laws of this wonderful country, pride in its opportunity and devotion to its history.

“I look forward to working with the members of the Senate for their consideration of my nomination,” Noriega added.