Abid R. Qureshi becomes first American Muslim federal judicial nominee

Sept. 6, 2016—Today President Obama nominated Abid R. Qureshi to serve as a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. A litigation partner at Latham & Watkins LLP in Washington, DC, Mr. Qureshi is the first American Muslim to be nominated to serve on the federal judiciary.

“I commend President Obama for taking this important step in continuing to pick the best and brightest from every community to serve as part of our nation’s judiciary,” said Farhana Khera, former counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and executive director of Muslim Advocates, a national legal advocacy organization. “A judiciary that reflects the rich diversity of our nation helps ensure the fair and just administration of the law, and it is vital for American Muslims to be included. Mr. Qureshi’s profound commitment to the rule of law and justice for people of all backgrounds makes him an exceptional nominee.”

Mr. Qureshi has a long and distinguished legal career. He has served as lead counsel in numerous trials before state and federal courts across the country and has represented clients at the trial and appellate levels and before state and federal regulators and national and international arbitral tribunals. Mr. Qureshi has also served as Chair of Latham’s Global Pro Bono Committee since 2012, overseeing one of the world’s largest pro bono programs. His pro bono work has included working with Muslim Advocates on two cutting edge civil rights cases.

Mr. Qureshi is the recipient of the “Champions of Justice” Award in 2012 by the National Law Journal’s Legal Times for upholding the profession’s core values through public service, pro bono work, and advocacy for civil liberties. In 2014, he was included in the Washington, DC Super Lawyers list, which recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in their legal practice. Mr. Qureshi sits on the DC Bar Legal Ethics Committee. He is a graduate of Cornell University and Harvard Law School.

While a number of American Muslims have served with distinction as judges at the state level, there has never been a Muslim judge at the federal trial or appellate levels. Muslim Advocates calls for a prompt hearing and full and fair consideration of this sterling nominee by the U.S. Senate.