Michael Noriega

Michael Noriega (born March 27, 1978) is an American attorney and jurist from the state of New Jersey. Noriega has served as a justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey since 2023.

Early life and education

Noriega is the son of Peruvian immigrants. Born in Weehawken, New Jersey, he grew up in Union City. He practiced immigration law and criminal law for six years at his own law firm, Noriega & Associates, which was located in Newark. Noriega provided pro bono counsel to the organization Kids in Need of Defense, representing indigent, underage clients who had been subjected to human trafficking and were facing removal proceedings.

Noriega also worked as a partner at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold, and Mangan in Scotch Plains, where he specialized in immigration and criminal law. He was an adjunct professor at the Seton Hall School of Law for eight years. As of 2023, Noriega was an active member of the New Jersey State Bar Association and served as chair of the Immigration Law Section. after Albin's retirement, the seat had been temporarily filled by New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division judge Jack M. Sabatino. In June 2023, it was reported that Noriega had received the support of enough senators to be confirmed, with 19 members of the State Senate having expressed their intent to vote for his confirmation. On June 26, 2023, a hearing was held on his nomination. Later that day, his nomination was advanced out of the Judiciary Committee.

Noriega was confirmed on June 30, 2023 by a 37–0 vote. He was sworn in on July 6, 2023. He is the first public defender to ever serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Noriega is a Democrat.