{{Short description|American lawyer (born October 13, 1986)}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Matthew Platkin | office = 62nd Attorney General of New Jersey | governor = Phil Murphy | term_start = February 14, 2022 | term_end = January 20, 2026 | predecessor = Andrew Bruck (acting) | successor = Jennifer Davenport | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|10|13}} | birth_place = Essex County, New Jersey | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic | education = Stanford University (BA, JD) }} '''Matthew J. Platkin'''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.naag.org/attorney-general/matthew-j-platkin | title=Matthew J. Platkin }}</ref> (born October 13, 1986)<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/governor/murphy-to-name-platkin-as-attorney-general |title=Murphy to Name Platkin as Attorney General |date=February 2, 2022 |access-date=February 9, 2022 |first=David |last=Wildstein |work=New Jersey Globe}}</ref> is an American attorney who served as the attorney general of New Jersey from 2022 to 2026.
==Early life and career== A resident of Montclair, New Jersey, Platkin was raised in Florham Park, New Jersey, and Morristown, New Jersey. He attended Madison High School, earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University, and earned a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.<ref name=nj.com>[https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562022/approved/20220131b.shtml Governor Murphy Announces Matt Platkin to Serve as New Jersey Attorney General], Governor of New Jersey press release dated February 3, 2022. Accessed February 3, 2022. "Platkin was born and raised in New Jersey, growing up in both Florham Park and Morristown, and graduated from Madison High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University, and his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School, where he was an editor of the Stanford Law Review.... Platkin resides in Montclair with his wife Sophia and children, Robert and Maya. </ref> He started his career with the Brookings Institution, advising Congress on economic recovery after the 2008 financial crisis.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Matthew J. Platkin |url=https://www.naag.org/attorney-general/matthew-j-platkin/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=National Association of Attorneys General |language=en-US}}</ref> Following graduation from law school, he practiced law at Debevoise & Plimpton.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Matthew J. Platkin |url=https://www.naag.org/attorney-general/matthew-j-platkin/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=National Association of Attorneys General |language=en-US}}</ref>
Platkin served as chief counsel to Governor Phil Murphy from January 2018 to October 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he drafted executive orders and workforce policies for state government employees.<ref name=":1" /> He took a leave during January 2020 to serve as Senator Cory Booker's special counsel during the first impeachment of Donald Trump.<ref name=":0" /> After leaving the government, Platkin joined Lowenstein Sandler as Partner in the white collar and business litigation groups.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Matthew J. Platkin, Chief Counsel to Governor Murphy, to Join Lowenstein’s White Collar and Business Litigation Groups as Partner {{!}} Lowenstein Sandler LLP |url=https://www.lowenstein.com/news-insights/firm-news/matthew-j-platkin-chief-counsel-to-governor-murphy-to-join-lowenstein-s-white-collar-and-business-litigation-groups-as-partner |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=www.lowenstein.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt Platkin, Murphy's Chief Counsel, Joining Lowenstein Sandler |url=https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/2020/09/16/matt-platkin-departing-as-murphys-chief-counsel/ |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=New Jersey Law Journal |language=en}}</ref> Platkin is Jewish.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Matt Platkin Sworn In as New Jersey’s First-Ever Jewish Attorney General |url=https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/general/2138169/matt-platkin-sworn-in-as-new-jerseys-first-ever-jewish-attorney-general.html |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=Yeshiva World News |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Attorney general of New Jersey=== On February 3, 2022, Governor Murphy announced that he was appointing Platkin to serve as acting Attorney General. Platkin assumed office on February 14, 2022, succeeding Andrew Bruck as acting Attorney General.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governor Phil Murphy Nominates Lowenstein Partner Matthew J. Platkin to Serve as New Jersey Attorney General {{!}} Lowenstein Sandler LLP |url=https://www.lowenstein.com/news-insights/firm-news/governor-phil-murphy-nominates-lowenstein-partner-matthew-j-platkin-to-serve-as-new-jersey-attorney-general |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=www.lowenstein.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-03 |title=Murphy Taps Matt Platkin for State Attorney General |url=https://www.insidernj.com/murphy-taps-matt-platkin-state-attorney-general/ |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=Insider NJ |language=en-US}}</ref> He assumed the position in full on September 29, 2022, after the confirmation of his appointment by the New Jersey State Senate.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://newjerseymonitor.com/2022/09/29/senate-confirms-matt-platkin-as-attorney-general-despite-gop-outcry/ | title=Senate confirms Matt Platkin as attorney general, despite GOP outcry | date=29 September 2022 }}</ref> In May 2022, Platkin appointed his former colleague Lowenstein Partner Michael T.G. Long as Director of Division of Law in the Attorney General's Office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin Appoints Lowenstein Partner Michael T.G. Long as Director of New Jersey’s Division of Law {{!}} Lowenstein Sandler LLP |url=https://www.lowenstein.com/news-insights/firm-news/acting-attorney-general-matthew-j-platkin-appoints-lowenstein-partner-michael-tg-long-as-director-of-new-jersey-s-division-of-law |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=www.lowenstein.com |language=en}}</ref>
Platkin gained attention when his office said in legal filings that state laws that create the "county line" ballot design are unconstitutional and that he and his office wouldn't defend it in Andy Kim's legal challenge.<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/17/matt-platkin-andy-kim-lawsuit-00147494/ "New Jersey AG says controversial ballot design in Senate race to replace Menendez is unconstitutional", Politico, March 17, 2024. Accessed March 19, 2024.</ref> Murphy disagreed with the statement, claiming that "a legal defense of the statute permitting bracketing would have been appropriate and consistent with the actions of prior Attorneys General."<ref> {{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-03-17 |title=Statements on Platkin's lines position |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/judiciary/statements-on-platkins-lines-position/ |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=New Jersey Globe |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Multi-state action against use of treasury data === In February 2025, Platkin joined eighteen other state attorneys general in suing the Trump administration for providing the Department of Government Efficiency with access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WC |first=NJOAG Communications |date=2025-02-07 |title=Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin Joins Multistate Coalition in Suing to Stop Elon Musk and DOGE’s Attacks on Americans |url=https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-matthew-j-platkin-joins-multistate-coalition-in-suing-to-stop-elon-musk-and-doges-attacks-on-americans/#:~:text=Attorney%20General%20Matthew%20J.,Jersey%20Office%20of%20Attorney%20General |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=New Jersey Office of Attorney General |language=en-US}}</ref> Judge Jeannette Vargas of the District Court for the Southern District of New York granted their request for a preliminary injunction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiessner |first=Daniel |last2=Cohen |first2=Luc |date=February 21, 2025 |title=Judge extends block on Musk's DOGE from Treasury systems |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/judge-extends-block-musks-doge-treasury-systems-2025-02-21/ |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref>
===George Norcross indictment=== On June 17, 2024, Platkin unsealed a 13 count indictment against former Democratic National Committee member and South Jersey power broker George Norcross, along with 5 of Norcross' associates. Norcross has long been the subject of controversies and prior investigations by both federal and state officials, but no charges had ever been filed. Despite being a Democrat, Norcross had been known for his close relationship with Republican former Governor Chris Christie.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4726618-george-norcross-indictment-new-jersey-explainer/|title=George Norcross indictment in New Jersey: 5 things to know|last=Roy|first=Yash|date=June 17, 2024|access-date=June 19, 2024|website=The Hill}}</ref> In the 2000s, Norcross had been secretly recorded saying: "In the end, the McGreeveys, the Corzines, they're all going to be with me. Not that they like me, but because they have no choice."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/07/nyregion/no-title-and-no-elective-office-but-influence-across-new-jersey.html|title=No Title and No Elective Office, but Influence Across New Jersey|last=Kocieniewski|first=David|date=January 7, 2006|access-date=June 19, 2024|website=New York Times}}</ref>
In the indictment, Platkin alleged that Norcross created a criminal enterprise and charging him with 13 counts of racketeering, theft by extortion, financial facilitation of criminal activity, and official misconduct. Along with Norcross, his attorney William M. Tambussi, his brother Philip A. Norcross, Cooper University Hospital board member Sidney R. Brown, developer John J. O’Donnell, and former Mayor of Camden Dana Redd were indicted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/campaigns/george-norcross-indicted/|title=George Norcross charged with racketeering, official misconduct in 13-count indictment|last1=Wildsteiin|last2=Fox|first1=David|first2=Joey|website=New Jersey Globe|date=June 17, 2024|access-date=June 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/new-jerseys-attorney-general-charges-influential-dem-racketeering/3887849/|title=Norcross, others charged with racketeering, ‘took the Camden waterfront all for themselves': AG|author1=AP|last2=Mitman|last3=Connors|first2=Hayden|first3=Rosemary|date=June 17, 2024|access-date=June 19, 2024|website=WCAU}}</ref> The indictment surrounds the procurement of property rights and the usage of tax-credits in the Camden Waterfront, the commercial and entertainment district of Camden, New Jersey.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newjerseymonitor.com/2024/06/18/inside-the-wild-charges-against-george-norcross/|title=Inside the ‘wild’ charges against Dem power broker George Norcross|last=Biryukov|first=Nikita|date=June 18, 2024|access-date=June 19, 2024|website=New Jersey Monitor}}</ref>
Norcross attended the press conference announcing the indictment in person and attempted to follow Platkin's announcement with his own press conference in the lobby of Platkin's office. Once shut down by New Jersey State Police officers, Norcross held his impromptu press conference outside the building, claiming "I want[ed] to witness an extraordinary embarrassment and outrageous conduct from a government official who stands up there and tries to act like he’s holier than thou." Norcross then demanded Platkin try the case himself, along with calling the state Attorney General a "coward" and told him to "Buckle up."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/17/new-jersey-norcross-press-conference-00163769|title=New Jersey’s top political boss stared down the AG at press conference announcing his indictment|last=Han|first=Daniel|date=June 17, 2024|access-date=June 19, 2024|website=Politico}}</ref>
On February 26, 2025, the 13 count indictment was dismissed by New Jersey Superior Court Judge Peter E. Warshaw Jr. who wrote that the indictment “must be dismissed because its factual allegations do not constitute extortion or criminal coercion as a matter of law.” He concluded that there was no evidence of a racketeering conspiracy and that even if there were, the charges were brought too many years after the crimes alleged and were therefore “time-barred.” Platkin said that he planned to appeal the decision.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/nyregion/george-norcross-new-jersey-charges-dropped.html|title=Judge Dismisses Racketeering Charges Against Top Democratic Power Broker|last=Tully|first=Tracey|date=February 26, 2025|access-date=June 9, 2025|website=The New York Times}}</ref>
==Personal life== Platkin and his wife, Sophia, live in Montclair with their son and daughter.<ref name=nj.com/> During a press conference published by C-SPAN on December 22, 2025, it was disclosed by Attorneys General Rob Bonta and Dan Rayfield that Platkin's nickname is "The Mighty Platkin." <ref>{{Cite web |last=C-SPAN |date=December 22, 2025 |title=State Attorneys General Announce Lawsuit Against Trump Administration |url=https://www.c-span.org/program/news-conference/state-attorneys-general-announce-lawsuit-against-trump-administration/670914 |website=C-SPAN.ORG}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{s-start}} {{s-legal}} {{s-bef|before=Andrew Bruck}} {{s-ttl|title=Attorney General of New Jersey|years=2022–2026}} {{s-aft|after=Jennifer Davenport}} {{s-end}}
{{New Jersey Attorneys General}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Platkin, Matthew}} Category:1980s births Category:Lawyers from Montclair, New Jersey Category:Lawyers from Morristown, New Jersey Category:Living people Category:Madison High School (New Jersey) alumni Category:New Jersey attorneys general Category:New Jersey Democrats Category:People associated with Debevoise & Plimpton Category:People associated with Lowenstein Sandler Category:People from Florham Park, New Jersey Category:Stanford Law School alumni Category:Year of birth uncertain