TRENTON, N.J. (AP/ KYW Newsradio) — Gov. Phil Murphy has nominated Michael Noriega to be the next justice on the state Supreme Court, who if confirmed would be the first former public defender to sit on New Jersey’s top court.
Noriega, 45, of Fanwood, is a longtime immigration lawyer and criminal defense attorney. He would replace Barry Albin, who retired last July after 19 years on the bench. Since that time, Appellate Court Judge Jack Sabatino has been temporarily filling that seat.
The Democratic governor announced his choice Monday. The nomination will first be considered by the state Senate Judiciary Committee and, if they approve, the full Senate would then hold a confirmation vote.
Murphy said Noriega’s experience as a public defender will help him serve with honor and dedication.
“This perspective will be an important complement to the other justices on the court who have served as prosecutors,” he said. “He has dedicated his life to standing up for others, not just in his career but in his spare time.”
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Noriega is a partner with the Scotch Plains-based law firm of Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold and Mangan. The firm’s principals include state Sen. Jon Bramnick, a Republican from Union County who called Noriega “an attorney of immense integrity.”
The son of Peruvian immigrants, Noriega was born in Weehawken and was raised in Union City. He graduated from Rutgers University and received his law degree from Seton Hall, where he has also served as an adjunct law professor. He was an assistant deputy public defender in Essex County from 2003 to 2008.
Noriega and his wife, Melissa, a school psychologist, are the parents of four daughters. He said it’s always been his dream to become a judge.
“I vow to work harder than I ever have before,” Noriega said, “to honor my parents’ sacrifice, to leave my mark, and to uphold my family’s tradition of respect for the laws of this wonderful country.”
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