Michael Noriega | |
|---|---|
| Justice of theSupreme Court of New Jersey | |
| Assumed office July 6, 2023 | |
| Appointed by | Phil Murphy |
| Preceded by | Barry T. Albin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1978-03-27)March 27, 1978 (age 47) Weehawken, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Rutgers University (BA) Seton Hall University (JD) |
Michael Noriega (born March 27, 1978)[1] is an American lawyer fromNew Jersey who has served as a justice of theSupreme Court of New Jersey since 2023.
Noriega is the son ofPeruvian immigrants. Born inWeehawken, New Jersey, he grew up inUnion City.[2][3] Noriega graduated fromSt. Peter's Preparatory School in 1995,[4] received a bachelor's degree fromRutgers University in 1999 with a major inAmerican studies[4][5] and received aJuris Doctor fromSeton Hall University School of Law in 2002.[6]
Noriega worked as an assistant deputypublic defender inEssex County for five years, leaving in 2008.[3] Noriega practicedimmigration andcriminal law for six years at his own law firm, Noriega & Associates inNewark. He providedpro bono counsel to the organization Kids in Need of Defense, representingindigent, underage clients who had been subjected tohuman trafficking and were facingremoval proceedings.[7] He worked as a partner at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold, and Mangan inScotch Plains,[4] where he specialized in immigration and criminal law.[8] He was anadjunct professor at theSeton Hall School of Law for eight years.[9] As of 2023, Noriega was an active member of the New Jersey State Bar Association and served as chair of the Immigration Law Section.[3]
On May 15, 2023, GovernorPhil Murphy announced his intent to nominate Noriega to serve as a justice of theSupreme Court of New Jersey. There was a vacancy on the court due to the mandatory retirement of JusticeBarry T. Albin, who retired on July 6, 2022;[4][5] after Albin's retirement, the seat had been temporarily filled byNew Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division judgeJack M. Sabatino. In June 2023, it was reported that Noriega had acquired enough votes to be confirmed, with 19 members of the State Senate having expressed their intent to vote for his confirmation.[10] On June 26, 2023, a hearing was held on his nomination.[11] Later that day, his nomination was advanced out of the judiciary committee.[12] He was confirmed on June 30, 2023 by a 37–0 vote.[13][14] Noriega was sworn into office on July 6, 2023.[15] He is the firstpublic defender to ever serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court.[2] In addition, he is the thirdHispanic to serve on the court and the first since JusticeFaustino J. Fernandez-Vina retired.[5]
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| Preceded by | Justice of theSupreme Court of New Jersey 2023–present | Incumbent |
Statewide political officials ofNew Jersey | ||
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| Supreme Court (appointed) | ||