Alfred Noll Passes Away: A Tribute to the Lawyer, Politician, and Lateral Thinker
Picture a lawyer who not only knows the letter of the law inside out but also writes hefty books about Thomas Hobbes—and then, on top of that, enters politics. That was Alfred J. Noll, who passed away shortly after the Christmas holidays at the age of 63. A profound loss for the Austrian legal landscape and for everyone who knew him as a sharp-tongued debater.
To many, he was simply "Alfred Noll"—the lawyer with the quiet voice and razor-sharp arguments. Anyone who ever dealt with him in court won't forget the man anytime soon. Whether it was about explosive political trials or fundamental constitutional questions, Noll was always a guarantee of depth and unconventional thinking. His trademark? A touch of philosophy injected into everyday legal practice.
From University Professor to Politician
Born in 1960, Alfred J. Noll embarked on a steep academic career early on. He completed his post-doctoral lecture qualification (Habilitation) and became a university professor of law—but that was never enough for him. He wanted to step out of the ivory tower and into the thick of real life. So, he not only wrote scholarly treatises (including a highly regarded work on Thomas Hobbes) but also founded his own law firm. And then, in 2008, he was elected to the National Council for the Greens. He shook up federal politics for three years until he decided to focus entirely on practicing law again in 2011.
A Jurist with Political Instincts
As a member of parliament, Alfred Noll wasn't one to dutifully nod along with the party line. He always remained a lateral thinker, someone who preferred to look twice before passing judgment. This didn't always make him comfortable—but it always made him credible. During the proceedings of the Hypo Alpe Adria investigative committee, he once again demonstrated his full skill set: as a legal observer for Caritas, using his legal acumen to expose the puppet masters behind the scenes.
His career was marked by an impressive breadth:
- As a lawyer: Representing clients in highly sensitive cases, such as for Caritas in the Hypo investigative committee or for whistleblowers.
- As an author: Numerous publications, including the frequently cited work "Thomas Hobbes – Alfred J. Noll: An Approach" and countless essays on legal philosophy and constitutional law.
- As a politician: Member of the National Council for the Greens (2008–2011) with a focus on justice and the constitution.
- As a person: A quiet connoisseur who hid a dry wit behind his often contemplative facade.
Speaking of humor: His name was sometimes mistakenly spelled "Alfred Noller" in the media. He was said to have just given a tired smile about it—the main thing was that the content was right. And the content was almost always right with him. When he pleaded before the Constitutional Court, not only the judges listened intently, but also the young colleagues who wanted to learn from him.
A Tribute Filled with Poignancy
His death leaves a void. In recent days, companions from politics and the judiciary have bid him farewell, and all agreed: Alfred J. Noll was exactly the kind of jurist the country could use more of—intelligent, incorruptible, and always seeking the truth behind the statutes. From judicial circles, it was heard that the republic is losing one of its most distinguished minds. Colleagues remember his quiet manner, the brief pauses before an answer during which he weighed every word on a gold scale. And his ability to dissect complex issues so that even a layperson understood what was really at stake. That's precisely what makes a great jurist—not citing paragraphs, but explaining justice.
In that spirit: Rest in peace, Alfred Noll. The republic loses one of its brightest minds.