Christie Nominates Chris Porrino As Attorney General of the State of New Jersey

On Jun 16, 2016

Today, Governor Chris Christie announced that he has nominated Chris Porrino as Attorney General, to succeed acting Attorney General Robert Lougy. Porrino will serve as Acting Attorney General until confirmed by the Senate.

Porrino currently leads Lowenstein Sandler’s national litigation practice where he represents businesses and individual clients in criminal, civil and regulatory matters.

“Throughout his legal career, Chris has demonstrated a unique combination of real-world pragmatism and strategic problem-solving skills in both the public and private sector.  Today, I am proud to announce his nomination and look forward to his confirmation as Attorney General,” Governor Christie said. “Chris is a highly respected member of New Jersey’s legal community, and his rich experience in civil and criminal matters positions him well to serve as New Jersey’s top legal advisor. I look forward to having him rejoin my administration and serve as a valued cabinet member.”

From January 2014 through July 2015, Porrino served as Chief Counsel to Governor Christie, where he had broad responsibility overseeing appointments, legislative matters and all state authorities. Porrino worked closely with Governor Christie and members of the Legislature from both sides of the aisle to secure the passage of numerous pieces of critical legislation.  Before that, Porrino served as Director of the Division of Law in the Attorney General’s Office.

“Once again, I am humbled by the opportunity Governor Christie has afforded me, and I look forward to returning to the Attorney General’s office.  The opportunity to rejoin the administration as Attorney General, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, and once again serve this great state is a privilege I am thrilled to undertake.”

As Director of the Division of Law from February 2012 to January 2014, Porrino oversaw a team of 500 lawyers.  During that time, the Division of Law was a major difference-maker on behalf of New Jersey citizens, achieving important outcomes in historic litigation, including the landmark Harvey Cedars “dunes” case which Porrino argued before the state Supreme Court. The Court threw out a $375,000 jury award to the Harvey Cedars couple who argued that their view of the ocean would be diminished by dune construction. Porrino then negotiated a settlement of that case whereby the State obtained the needed property from the couple for $1. This outcome paved the way for the State to further protect its coastline.

Prior to his government service, from 2004 until 2012, Porrino was a partner and vice-chair of Lowenstein Sandler’s litigation department, where he focused on criminal and civil trial practice.  During his tenure at Lowenstein Sandler, Porrino represented clients in a wide array of matters involving securities, banking, insurance, tax, antitrust, real estate and the environment, among others. He also served as a law clerk to then-Magistrate Judge Freda L. Wolfson, U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey.

A resident of Union County, Porrino graduated from Lehigh University and received his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law.  He is admitted to the bars of the State of New Jersey, the State of New York, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.

Robert Lougy, who has served as Acting Attorney General since March 2016, has been nominated to become a judge in the state Superior Court.

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