Former New Jersey Gov. James J. Florio. Photo: J. Taylor Design 

James J. Florio, New Jersey's 49th governor and founding partner of a New Jersey law firm, has died at age 85, and is being remembered for his impact in both politics and the legal profession.

"Governor Florio was a fighter who never backed down," said Gov. Phil Murphy in a statement on the former governor's passing. "He was a leader who cared more about the future of New Jersey than his own political fortunes. And he was also a friend whose kind counsel was invaluable to me and countless others across our state.

"Our communities are cleaner today because of the environmental efforts he championed in Congress," Murphy added. "And our streets are safer today because of his dogged effort to enact and defend our state's assault-weapons ban, which remains the law to this day."