Biden nominates Democratic fundraiser Sellinger to be U.S. attorney for New Jersey

Steve Janoski
NorthJersey.com

Philip Sellinger, a Morristown attorney and well-known Democratic fundraiser, has been nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as the next U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey.  

Biden's choice was widely expected: Sellinger, 67, is a member of the party's state committee and served as a delegate for the president at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. 

"I am honored to be nominated and I look forward to the confirmation process," Sellinger said Wednesday afternoon. 

Sellinger worked at the law firm Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. for 18 years before moving to Greenberg Traurig, an international multi-practice firm. 

He received his juris doctor degree from the New York University School of Law in 1979. He earned a bachelor's from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst three years earlier. 

Barbara Sellinger with Philip Sellinger.  St. Phillip's Academy Dream Maker Gala at the Maplewood Country Cub in Maplewood. 04/07/2017

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Biden said he chose Sellinger and three other nominees for similar posts in other states because of "their devotion to enforcing the law, their professionalism, their experience and credentials in this field, their dedication to pursuing equal justice for all, and their commitment to the independence of the Department of Justice."

Sellinger must now be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Sellinger, who worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in New Jersey from 1981 to 1984, was on The Record and NorthJersey.com's shortlist of potential candidates to replace former U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito, a Donald Trump appointee who stepped down in January.

Rachael Honig has led the office since. 

U.S. attorneys are the chief federal law enforcement officers in their respective districts and have wide latitude to pursue a litany of cases. 

They usually serve four-year terms at the pleasure of the president. But it's not unusual for them to resign once the appointing administration concludes — presidents often want their own people in the powerful, high-profile spots. 

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The office's priorities can also be bent to the will of whoever leads it. And given the U.S. attorney's prominence and pull, the position can open political doors to elected office.  

Rudy Giuliani, for instance, first made a name for himself by prosecuting the Mafia during his years as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. He rode that reputation into the New York City mayor's office, which propelled him into the national spotlight. 

Former Gov. Chris Christie tread a similar path, capitalizing on his reputation as a fighter of public corruption during his campaigns for governor of New Jersey. 

Carpenito was different, and brought with him a workmanlike mentality that focused more on the courtroom than the television cameras. 

He added more attorneys, boosted the office's production and created special units to deal with violence, opioids and cybercrime, among other things. 

It is, of course, too early to tell how Sellinger will lead the office or what his priorities will be. 

But he seems to have the support of Gov. Phil Murphy, who called Biden's choice an "outstanding decision."

“Phil is a highly respected attorney with decades of experience at the highest levels of our legal system, both as a prosecutor and in private practice," Murphy said. "I know that he will serve New Jerseyans with honor and distinction and uphold our U.S. Attorney’s Office’s storied reputation for independence and integrity."