Mercury, a bipartisan public strategy firm, has selected Lowenstein partner Christopher Porrino to join the company’s advisory board. Porrino joins an illustrious group of former high-level public officials at Mercury, including former U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA), former Congressman Vin Weber (R-MN), former California House Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-CA), former Congressman Max Sandlin (D-TX), former Congressman Denny Rehberg (R-MT) and former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer (D-NY).
Porrino is a partner and Chair of the Litigation Department at Lowenstein Sandler. A seasoned trial lawyer, negotiator, and crisis manager, he possesses a rare combination of real-world pragmatism and strategic problem-solving skills forged in courtrooms, in the halls of government, and in the glare of the national media spotlight.
“I am honored to advise and assist such a widely respected global firm,” Porrino said. “I look forward to helping Mercury grow its already stellar brand in New Jersey and beyond.”
Porrino was the 60th Attorney General in New Jersey history. During his time as Attorney General, Porrino indicted and convicted the former Mayor of New Jersey’s third-largest city. He oversaw the implementation of the most significant reform of New Jersey’s criminal justice system in history, a much-needed reform of the bail system that is now a national model. Porrino also pioneered the country’s strictest opioid prescription rules, which paved the way for immediate reductions in the number of opioid painkillers prescribed by physicians in New Jersey.
In 2012, Porrino first entered public service as Director of Law at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. As Director, he led a team of 500 civil lawyers that oversaw thousands of litigation matters and dozens of trials on behalf of the state’s numerous departments and agencies, including the Departments of Environmental Protection, Banking and Insurance, and Transportation, as well as the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Porrino also served as Chief Counsel to Governor Chris Christie. As one of only two direct reports to the governor, Porrino had responsibility for judicial appointments, legislative matters, and all state authorities.
Prior to his government service, Porrino was a partner and vice chair of Lowenstein Sandler’s litigation department, where he focused on criminal and civil trial practice. Earlier in his career, he served as a law clerk to then-Magistrate Judge Freda L. Wolfson, U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey. Born and raised in New Jersey, Porrino graduated from Lehigh University and received his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law.
