Alfred Noll Passes Away: A Tribute to the Lawyer, Politician, and Free Thinker
Imagine a lawyer who not only knew legal paragraphs inside out, but also penned hefty books about Thomas Hobbes – and then, on top of it all, entered politics. That was Alfred J. Noll, who passed away shortly after Christmas at the age of 63. A profound loss for the Austrian legal landscape and for everyone who knew him as a sharp-tongued debater.
For 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 for depth and unconventional thinking. His trademark: a touch of philosophy in everyday legal practice.
From University Professor to Politician
Born in 1960, Alfred J. Noll embarked on a rapid academic career early on. Habilitation, 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 life. So, he didn't just write scholarly treatises (including a widely acclaimed 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. For three years, he shook up federal politics until he shifted his focus back entirely to practicing law in 2011.
A Jurist with Political Instinct
As a member of parliament, Alfred Noll wasn't one to meekly toe the party line. He always remained a free 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 hearings of the Hypo Alpe Adria investigative committee, he once again demonstrated his full capability: as a legal observer for Caritas, he used his legal acumen to expose those pulling the strings.
His career was marked by an impressive range:
- As a Lawyer: Represented clients in highly sensitive cases, such as 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 Approximation" and countless essays on legal philosophy and constitutional law.
- As a Politician: Green Party Member of the National Council (2008–2011) focusing on justice and the constitution.
- As a Person: A quiet connoisseur, who hid a dry wit behind his often pensive facade.
Speaking of wit: Sometimes his name was mistakenly written as "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 Sadness
His death leaves a void. In recent days, companions from politics and the judiciary have bid farewell, and everyone agreed: Alfred J. Noll was the kind of jurist the country could use more of – intelligent, incorruptible, and always seeking the truth behind the legal paragraphs. From judicial circles, it was heard that the republic has lost one of its most distinguished minds. Colleagues remember his quiet manner, the brief pauses before an answer during which he weighed every word carefully. And his ability to dissect complicated issues so that even a layperson understood what it was really about. 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.