Murphy Nominates Platkin As NJ Attorney General

TRENTON, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy has nominated his former chief counsel, Matt Platkin, to be New Jersey's next attorney general.

Platkin, 35, will become the acting attorney general on Feb. 14, the governor's office said. His nomination must be confirmed by the state Senate.

"I know that as Attorney General, Matt will stand up for our New Jersey values and keep the office, and our state, moving forward," Murphy said in announcing the nomination. "Matt will continue the strong record of the Attorney General’s Office’s during my first term and I look forward to working with him in this new role."

"I am honored and humbled to serve as New Jersey’s next Attorney General," Platkin said during the announcement, which was livestreamed on the state's social media accounts (you can see it at the bottom of this article). "I commit to work tirelessly, alongside the 7,700 outstanding public servants who make up the Department of Law and Public Safety, to protect and defend the rights of all 9 million people who call our state home."

His highest priority is addressing violent crime, he said.

"That means in particular, and in particular right now, bringing all necessary resources to bear to prevent violent crime," Platkin said. "Because most violent crime involves firearms, we will use every tool at our disposal to tackle the root causes of gun violence, including holding those accountable who foster gun violence in our communities."

Platkin is a New Jersey native who grew up in Florham Park and Morristown, and graduated from Madison High School. He received his bachelor's degree from Stanford University and his law degree from Stanford Law School, where he was an editor of the Stanford Law Review. He and his wife, Sophia, live in Montclair with their son, Robert.

Platkin, who served as Murphy's policy director from May 2016 to November 2017 and as his chief counsel from January 2018 to October 2020, started his career working at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C., advising members of Congress on job growth and economic recovery following the 2008 financial crisis. After earning his law degree he Platkin practiced law at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York City.

As Murphy's chief counsel, he oversaw more than 20 attorneys who advised Murphy on all legal matters, including legislation, executive orders, and administrative regulations. Platkin also was responsible for coordinating with the Attorney General's Office on civil matters, including affirmative litigations, and oversaw judicial and prosecutorial nominations.

Platkin succeeds Andrew Bruck, who was appointed interim attorney general in June 2021, when former Attorney General Gurbir Grewal stepped down to take a job investigating financial crimes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.