With last week’s news of Gov. Phil Murphy’s Chief Counsel Matt Platkin departing for Lowenstein Sandler next month, those who must deal with the Governor’s Office to get their initiatives, bills or issues heard are closely watching who will replace him.

Interviews with top lawyer lobbyists in Trenton—who work the Statehouse corridors on behalf of their clients—are particularly interested since the chief counsel often guards access to the governor as the gatekeeper and has his ear on key policies and measures coursing through the Legislature.