Associate Justice Michael Noriega

Early Life and Education

Michael Noriega was born on March 27, 1978, in Weehawken, New Jersey, and raised in Union City by Peruvian immigrant parents.

He graduated from Rutgers University in 1999 with a B.A. in American Studies and earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2002

Legal Career & Public Service

Noriega began his legal career as an Assistant Deputy Public Defender in Essex County (2003–2008), handling numerous criminal cases and jury trials. He then founded and led Noriega & Associates for six years, representing both immigrants and clients facing criminal charges. He later joined Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC as a partner, focusing on immigration, criminal defense, personal injury, and public interest litigation

In parallel, he served as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall Law School for eight years and held leadership roles in professional associations, including chairing the Immigration Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association

Supreme Court Appointment

Governor Phil Murphy nominated Noriega in May 2023 to fill the vacancy left by Justice Barry Albin. He was confirmed by a unanimous Senate vote on June 30, 2023, and sworn in on July 6, 2023, becoming the first former public defender and third Hispanic justice in the court’s history.

Expertise & Contributions

Justice Noriega is renowned for his deep commitment to immigration rights, criminal defense, and civil liberties. He has argued high-profile cases before the New Jersey Supreme Court and supported underserved communities through pro bono work, including representing victims of human trafficking, often through the organization Kids in Need of Defense.

He brings a rare perspective to the bench as a former public defender and advocate for equity, with practical experience grounded in both trial and appellate litigation.