Political veteran Paul Josephson of Duane Morris named counsel for Murphy campaign

Paul Josephson, a partner with Duane Morris, has been named counsel for Phil Murphy’s campaign to become the next governor of New Jersey, NJBIZ has learned.A spokesperson for Murphy confirmed the appointment Friday.

Josephson has extensive background in both political campaigns and state government.

In addition to serving as chief counsel to the governor and as chief of authorities for the state of New Jersey Office of the Governor under Jim McGreevey, he has worked on numerous campaigns at the state and local level, including those of Cory Booker, Jon Corzine and Jim Florio.

Josephson, who had been working with the Murphy campaign, will be available to handle numerous potential issues involving campaigns and government, according to a source.

The source, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak on the subject, said Josephson’s extensive background made him a logical choice.

“There are a variety of legal issues that come up on a daily basis in a campaign,” the source said. “Paul is well versed in handling any issue. He has been working on campaigns for decades.”

According to the Duane Morris site, Josephson represents clients in a “broad spectrum of business matters, usually involving significant public interests or regulated by government agencies, including government contracting and administration; business permitting and licensing; economic incentives; development/redevelopment; condemnation and regulatory takings; transportation and infrastructure; environmental, energy, banking and insurance regulation; government ethics; and election and campaign finance.”

Josephson, the site says, also advises clients in traditional litigation and counseling, as well as in managing public affairs, media relations and crisis communications.

Josephson, who works out of the firm’s offices in both Newark and Cherry Hill, did not immediately return requests for comment.

(Statehouse correspondent Andrew George contributed to this report.)