Matthew J. Platkin, Chief Counsel to Governor Murphy, to Join Lowenstein’s White Collar and Business Litigation Groups as Partner
Lowenstein Sandler is pleased to announce that Matthew J. Platkin, Chief Counsel to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, will join as partner in the firm’s White Collar Criminal Defense and Business Litigation groups at the conclusion of his state service in October.
As Chief Counsel, Platkin managed a team of over 20 lawyers in drafting, reviewing, and approving all legislation and executive and administrative actions before the governor, including those taken in 2020 to slow the spread of COVID-19 across the state.
Christopher Porrino, who served as Chief Counsel to former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and as the 60th Attorney General of New Jersey and who now serves as Chair of Lowenstein’s Litigation Department, says, “Our bipartisan team is unique in its ability to serve the business community in all aspects of litigation and complex problem-solving, and Matt’s very recent and in-depth government experience further bolsters that ability.”
During his tenure as Chief Counsel, Platkin oversaw all legal matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic for the State of New Jersey. In this capacity, he managed the drafting of over 80 executive orders and numerous administrative orders pertaining to the state’s emergency response to the pandemic. Without losing a single matter, he contributed to over two dozen litigations arising from the pandemic, including cases filed in both federal and state court and before the New Jersey Supreme Court. He also oversaw reforms of state workforce policies affecting 65,000 employees in order to maintain government services during the pandemic. Experienced in public relations, Platkin appeared at more than 100 COVID-19 press conferences, handling all questions regarding the state’s legal response to the pandemic.
Platkin’s extensive experience in negotiations and crisis management has contributed to his inclusion on various influencer lists, such as those published by NJBIZ, New Jersey Globe, Insider NJ, and ROI-NJ. For his work on the COVID-19 pandemic, he was recognized with the top ranking on the 2020 NJBIZ Law Power 50 list.
Platkin’s other accomplishments as Chief Counsel include:
• Negotiating numerous complex pieces of legislation, including three $40 billion annual state budgets
• Managing all litigation involving the Office of the Governor and approving affirmative litigation filed by the State of New Jersey
• Overseeing judicial, cabinet, and prosecutorial nominations, including the nominations or re-nominations of three Supreme Court justices and numerous Superior Court judges
• Supervising employee and labor relations, including contract negotiations and ethics issues, and managing labor negotiations that resulted in several nine-figure settlements
• Drafting executive orders, including one that established the most ambitious offshore wind energy target in the world
In January 2020, Platkin took a leave from the Office of the Governor to serve as Special Counsel to U.S. Senator Cory Booker during the impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump.
Prior to entering public service, Platkin practiced litigation with a prominent Am Law 200 firm, where he focused on internal investigations and civil and criminal matters before the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the U.S. Department of Justice, the New York Department of Financial Services, and various regulatory agencies.
Lowenstein Chairman and Managing Partner Gary M. Wingens says, “It’s an honor to welcome another brilliant lawyer to our already formidable team of litigators. Matt’s reputation for excellence extends across party lines, and our clients will greatly benefit from his range of experience in both the public and private sectors.”
Platkin’s arrival highlights the firm’s ongoing success in attracting prominent, accomplished former public servants, prosecutors, and trial lawyers whose experience enhances the team’s depth and breadth. The White Collar group, chaired by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael B. Himmel, has added other top-tier arrivals over the past several years, including partner Rachel Maimin, (former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York); partner H. Gregory Baker (former Senior Counsel, Division of Enforcement Asset Management Unit, U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission); partner Peter Slocum (former First Assistant Attorney General of New Jersey); special counsel Elie Honig (former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York;); special counsel Anne M. Milgram (former Attorney General of New Jersey); counsel Kathleen A. McGee (former Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Internet and Technology, New York State Attorney General’s Office); associate Shontae D. Gray (former Deputy Attorney General of New Jersey); associate Kent Anderson (former Deputy Attorney General of New Jersey); and associate Ryan P. Goodwin (former Senior Policy Advisor and Assistant Counsel to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie).
Partner Scott B. McBride (former Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey; former Deputy Chief, Economic Crimes Unit; former member, Health Care & Government Fraud Unit) joined the firm in 2016, and partner Matthew Boxer (former New Jersey State Comptroller; former Director, New Jersey’s Authorities Unit; former federal prosecutor, Terrorism Unit, Criminal Division, and Special Prosecutions Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office) joined in 2014.
About Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Lowenstein Sandler is a national law firm with over 350 lawyers based in New York, Palo Alto, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington, D.C. The firm represents leaders in virtually every sector of the global economy, with particular emphasis on investment funds, life sciences, and technology. Recognized for its entrepreneurial spirit and high standard of client service, the firm is committed to the interests of its clients, colleagues, and communities.
