Associate Justice John Jay Hoffman

Early Life and Education

John Jay Hoffman was born in 1965 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and grew up in Middlesex County. He earned his B.A. from Colgate University in 1987 and his J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 1992. Shortly after graduation, he served as a post‑doctoral fellow at the University of Tokyo and clerked for the Honorable Al Engel on the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Legal Career & Public Service

Hoffman’s early career included work as a Trial Attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. from 1996 to 2004. Following that, he joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, serving as federal prosecutor focusing on white‑collar and economic crimes. He later took leadership roles in state government, including as Director of the Division of Investigations for the State Comptroller, and as Executive Assistant Attorney General, supporting then-Attorney General Jeff Chiesa.

Attorney General & Academia

In June 2013, Governor Chris Christie appointed Hoffman Acting Attorney General of New Jersey, a position he held until 2016. After leaving public service, he became Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Rutgers University.

Appointment to the New Jersey Supreme Court

Governor Phil Murphy nominated Hoffman to the New Jersey Supreme Court on June 10, 2024; he was confirmed unanimously by the State Senate and sworn in on October 2, 2024, filling the vacancy left by Justice Lee Solomon. His term is slated to continue through June 10, 2031.

Judicial Reputation & Contributions

Justice Hoffman is recognized for his unwavering integrity, balanced temperament, and deep experience across federal and state legal systems. His confirmation was unanimously supported across party lines, with Senate leadership praising his “honesty, integrity, and intellect”. A former prosecutor and state legal leader, he brings a pragmatic perspective to the bench informed by years of trial and policy experience.