Jeff Chiesa

Jeff Chiesa. An American attorney and politician who served as a United States Senator from New Jersey following an appointment by Governor Chris Christie in 2013. A longtime legal advisor to Christie, his career includes serving as the 59th Attorney General of New Jersey and as a partner at the law firm Wolff & Samson. His tenure in the United States Senate was brief, serving from June to October 2013 before returning to private practice.

Early life and education

He was born in Bound Brook, New Jersey, and grew up in the surrounding Somerset County area. He attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a degree in government. He then earned his Juris Doctor from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.. During his time in law school, he served as an editor for the Catholic University Law Review.

Legal career

After law school, he began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge John F. Gerry of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. He then entered private practice, becoming an associate and later a partner at the firm Wolff & Samson in West Orange, New Jersey. His practice focused on white-collar crime and complex commercial litigation. In 2002, he joined the United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey as an Assistant United States Attorney, where he prosecuted cases involving political corruption and organized crime. He first worked closely with then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie during this period, serving as his counsel and later as his chief of staff.

United States Senator

Following the death of longtime Senator Frank Lautenberg in June 2013, Governor Chris Christie appointed him to temporarily fill the vacant United States Senate seat. He was sworn into office on June 10, 2013, becoming the first Republican to represent New Jersey in the Senate since Nicholas F. Brady. During his brief tenure, he caucused with the Senate Republican Conference and served on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He announced he would not seek election to the remainder of the term in the special election. His term concluded on October 31, 2013, upon the swearing-in of the special election winner, Cory Booker.

Later career

Upon leaving the United States Senate, he returned to private legal practice. He rejoined the law firm Wolff & Samson, which later merged into the national firm Pashman Stein Walder Hayden. He serves as a partner and co-chair of the firm's Government Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense practice. His practice involves representing clients in investigations by the United States Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other state and federal agencies. He has also been appointed to several public roles, including serving as a federal monitor for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and as a trustee for the New Jersey State Museum.

Personal life

He is married to his wife, Jenny, and they have two children. The family resides in Branchburg, New Jersey. He has been involved with various civic and charitable organizations, including serving on the board of the New Jersey Alliance for Action and supporting the United Way of Northern New Jersey. He maintains an active role in the legal community, frequently speaking on panels related to ethics and government investigations.

Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:American lawyers Category:New Jersey Republicans Category:United States senators from New Jersey Category:New Jersey Attorneys General