The long run of shake-ups with state Supreme Court vacancies could finally be over. On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy made his nomination for the last remaining seat on New Jersey’s highest court, tapping former public defender and immigrant-rights advocate Michael Noriega to replace retired associate justice Barry Albin. If confirmed, the 45-year-old Democrat from Union County would be just the third Hispanic member in the history of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
“After finding opportunity himself he has dedicated his life to standing up to others, not just in his career but in his spare time. For seven years he provided pro bono representation to young victims of human trafficking facing deportation, some of them, by the way, only children, and he is currently the board president of Sanar Wellness Institute, a nonprofit in Newark that helps victims of human trafficking, domestic abuse and other forms of violence,” said Murphy.
Noriega’s nomination, if approved, would bring the court up to a full complement of seven justices. Noriega would be Murphy’s third pick for a court whose reputation is for balance and collegiality.
“Adding someone who has that perspective, given the number of criminal matters that come before the court, really can only enhance the breadth of the perspective the court has,” said Ron Chen, professor of Rutgers Law School.
