Peter Verniero

Peter G. Verniero (born April 30, 1959, in Montclair, New Jersey) is an American lawyer and jurist from New Jersey. He previously served as a justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court and as New Jersey Attorney General; he is presently in private practice in New Jersey. Education and early career Born in Montclair, New Jersey, and raised in Montville, New Jersey, Verniero graduated from Montville Township High School in 1977. Verniero graduated summa cum laude from Drew University in 1981, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received a J.D. degree from Duke University School of Law in 1984. Following law school, Verniero served as a law clerk to New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Robert. L. Clifford. From 1985 to 1994 Verniero was an attorney in private practice and active in New Jersey Republican politics. He was appointed Governor Christine Todd Whitman’s first chief counsel in 1994. In this position he oversaw state authorities, legislation, executive orders, pardons, and judicial nominations for the governor. In 1995 Whitman elevated Verniero to the position of chief of staff. New Jersey Attorney General