Chiesa (pronounced “KEE–ay–za”) was administered the oath of office by New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Patterson.

Chiesa, 46, served as Chief Counsel to Governor Christie from January 2010 through December 2011, when he was nominated by the Governor to be New Jersey Attorney General. His nomination was confirmed by unanimous vote of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 5, and approved by the Senate by a vote of 37-0 on Monday night.

“Jeff brings to the position of Attorney General an ideal combination of integrity, law enforcement leadership, legal acumen and commitment to service,” said Governor Christie. “In the many years that I have known Jeff as a close friend and invaluable colleague, I have never seen him shrink from a challenge or fail to deliver on the priorities he set. I am confident that he will make the best use of the considerable resources of the Department of Law & Public Safety to promote the safety, security and welfare of the people of New Jersey.”

“I am tremendously honored by the confidence that Governor Christie and the Senate have shown in me,” said Attorney General Chiesa. “By nominating and confirming me to lead the Department of Law & Public Safety and serve as the State’s top law enforcement officer, they have given me the opportunity to impact the lives of the people of New Jersey in many important ways. I welcome this challenge and pledge that I will do everything in my power to protect the people of this State, improve their quality of life, and use the law to advance their interests.”

Prior to his appointment as Chief Counsel, Chiesa served as Executive Director of Governor Christie’s Transition Team. Chiesa was previously a partner at the law firm of Wolf & Samson in their litigation group.

Before joining Wolf & Samson, Chiesa worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey from 2002 to 2009, concluding his tenure there as the Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney. He also served as Counsel to the U.S. Attorney and as Chief of the Public Protection Unit. Chiesa was involved in all aspects of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including the management of the Criminal, Civil, Appeals and Special Prosecutions Divisions.

As a unit chief, Chiesa supervised a group of Assistant U.S. Attorneys primarily responsible for the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases involving bank robbery, child pornography, human trafficking and identity theft. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Chiesa was a partner at the law firm of Dughi & Hewit, where he litigated civil matters, including the representation of medical professionals and hospitals.

Chiesa is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He earned his Juris Doctorate from The Catholic University of America.

Chiesa lives in Somerset County with his wife and two children.

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