Former Christie Chief Counsel Sworn In As Burlington County Prosecutor

Scott A. Coffina has identified gun violence and the illegal use of opioids as the top priorities he will deal with as Burlington County Prosecutor.

Coffina made the announcement when he was sworn in on Friday, a swearing-in attended by Gov. Chris Christie. Christie nominated Coffina for the position following the departure of Robert D. Bernardi, who was the county prosecutor for 17 years. The event was private, with a public event to take place at a later date.

“I understand the responsibility involved with being the top law enforcement officer in Burlington County,” Coffina said. “To county residents, I pledge to do everything within my power to make our streets and communities safe for your families. To the municipal police chiefs and officers on the beat, I look forward to becoming familiar with the operations of your departments and working together for the betterment of Burlington County.”

“You are going to make a great prosecutor,” Christie said. “I’m very happy for you and I’m confident you will do an outstanding job.”

Coffina also listed criminal justice reform, continuing to provide support for victims and witnesses, and the professional development of the staff as areas on which he plans to immediately concentrate.

Coffina has served as Christie’s Senior Deputy Chief Counsel for nearly two years. Before that, he was a partner in Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP’s White Collar Defense and Corporate Investigations practice group.

His practice focused on representing corporate, university and individual clients in internal investigations, False Claims Act litigation, political-legal controversies, and additional civil, criminal or regulatory enforcement actions.

Coffina was an Associate Counsel to President George W. Bush from May of 2007 until January of 2009. In that position, he advised White House and administration officials on a wide range of legal matters, represented the interests of the president in Congressional oversight investigations and evaluated candidates for judicial appointments in the District of Columbia and Eleventh circuits.

He served in the White House Office of Political Affairs for President Ronald Reagan. Coffina also was an Assistant United States Attorney in Philadelphia from 1997 to 2001.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He is admitted to the bars of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

He lives in Evesham Township with his wife and three sons.

The attached image of Chris Christie and Scott Coffina was provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office