Tiffany WIlson Senior Counsel and Director of the Office of Alternative and Community Responses | New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety
Tiffany WIlson Senior Counsel and Director of the Office of Alternative and Community Responses | New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety
Attorney General Platkin Announces Applications Now Being Accepted for 2025 Attorney General’s Honors Program
TRENTON – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that the application period is open for the 2025 New Jersey Attorney General’s Honors Program, a two-year initiative offering recent law school graduates and newly admitted lawyers the opportunity to begin their legal careers in public service within the Department of Law and Public Safety.
Supported by Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature, the program's sixth and largest class will join next month. Participants will have opportunities to help formulate policy and legal strategy, investigate cases, draft legal pleadings, negotiate with opposing counsel, and argue in court. They will also attend workshops and trainings designed to develop their legal skills and introduce them to the range of work performed by a state attorney general’s office.
“The Honors Program provides a unique opportunity to attorneys at the start of their legal careers who are interested in gaining unparalleled experience while engaging in public service,” said Attorney General Platkin. “From defending our state’s firearms laws, standing up for reproductive rights, and pursuing fraudsters and wrongdoers, our Office is engaged in important work that helps keep New Jerseyans safe and protects their rights. We invite the next generation of talented individuals to join our efforts across a wide range of critical issues.”
The program is open to all third-year law students, students in the final year of other graduate law programs (such as LLM programs), judicial clerks completing their clerkships by September 2025, and individuals completing post-graduation fellowships by September 2025. Positions are available in Newark and Trenton.
Applicants meeting the criteria can apply through the AG Honors Program website. Applications are due by October 13, 2024.
Participants may rotate through one or more subject matter areas including Antitrust*, Civil Rights, Conviction Review, Cyber Crimes, Environmental Justice and Enforcement, Fatal Police Encounters, Firearms Civil Enforcement and Accountability, Human Trafficking, Public Corruption, Reproductive Health Rights, Sexual and Domestic Violence Policy Prevention & Enforcement; Social Media Accountability & Data Privacy/Cybersecurity; Solicitor General Fellow; Violence Intervention & Victim Assistance; Violence Suppression & Organized Crime; Workers’ Rights & Labor Enforcement (*new subject matter for 2025).
Applicants must submit a writing sample, statement of interest, resume, law school transcript, and two references. Selected candidates will begin work in September 2025.
Current Honors Program members highlighted their experiences:
Alan Leal from Division of Law said: “Over the past year...I was tasked with drafting subpoenas [and] legal memorandums...Under [the] guidance...I have helped enforce NJ’s Consumer Fraud Act.”
Giancarlo G. Piccinini from Special Litigation remarked: “My docket...is both diverse and consequential...[including] Second Amendment litigation...[and] high-profile affirmative civil enforcement actions.”
Emily Erwin noted: “Through [the program], I have defended New Jersey’s laws against constitutional challenges...[and worked on] Platkin v. FSS Armory [and] Platkin v. JSD Supply.”
Colin Dobell from Environmental Enforcement & Environmental Justice stated: “Since joining EEEJ last fall...I’ve worked closely with [NJDEP] on several cases promoting environmental justice.”
Geoffrey McGee from Civil Rights shared: “[Representing DCR], I practiced making legal arguments...[and negotiated resolutions].”
Kevin Bui from Consumer Fraud Prosecution commented: “[I’ve worked on matters relating to reproductive rights], defending NJ’s Consumer Alert on crisis pregnancy centers...[and litigating subpoenas].”
Noah DeSimone mentioned: “[In my first year assignment with EEEJ], I enforced State environmental laws...[Now with ABC Regulatory Bureau], I am advising on licensing [and enforcement].”
Sherrod Smith from Public Integrity stated: “[As Deputy AG], I’ve had numerous opportunities to investigate [violations]...bolstering public faith in government.”
Sara Jane Koste added: “[The program provided experience with all stages of litigation]...including conducting witness examinations myself.”
Viviana Hanley noted: “[In my second year], I’ve continued working on diverse cases...including oral arguments before NJ Supreme Court.”
Chris Ioannou concluded: “One highlight has been helping defend NJ’s weapons laws in both state [and federal courts].”
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