McCarter & English, LLP Wednesday said it added Brian Wilton, former general counsel for NJ Transit, to its government affairs practice as a partner in its Newark office.
Wilton has more than 20 years of experience in government, law, and business. For the past eight years, he has held prominent roles in state government, most recently serving as the first senior vice president, chief legal officer and general counsel for NJ Transit, the largest statewide public transit system in the U.S. He created the agency’s legal department from the ground up and advised on all agency legal matters.
Prior to joining NJ Transit, Wilton was the deputy chief counsel and director of authorities for the state of New Jersey, providing legal counsel to Gov. Phil Murphy on decision making related to higher education, transportation, healthcare, energy, cannabis, and environmental issues. Wilton oversaw the state’s independent authorities, boards, and commissions, including NJ Transit, Economic Development Authority, Healthcare Facilities Financing Authority, and the Delaware River Basin Commission, and was involved in the creation of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
Before working for the state, Wilton was elected mayor of the Borough of Lake Como, following 10 years of service as council member and council president.
He also served as a prosecutor for the Boroughs of Freehold and Red Bank.
Previous to his government work, Wilton was the co-managing partner of The Wilton Law Firm. “Brian’s background and diverse experience at the intersection of politics, law, and business brings valuable insights to our group, and will further enable us to support our clients and lend them the perspective of someone who ran the legal function at the country’s largest statewide public transit agency,” said Guillermo Artiles, chair of McCarter’s government affairs practice.
