Obama Nominates First Pak-American to Federal Judiciary Bench

Abid Riaz Qureshi is currently a partner in the Washington DC office of Latham & Watkins LLP.

US President Obama. (Photo: AP)

President Barack Obama has nominated a Pakistani-American, the first Muslim on the federal judiciary bench for the US District Court of Columbia.

Abid Riaz Qureshi is a partner in the Washington DC office of Latham & Watkins LLP, where he specialises in cases involving the False Claims Act, health care fraud, and securities violations.

“I am pleased to nominate Mr Qureshi to serve on the US District court bench. I am confident he will serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice,” Obama said in a statement.

Qureshi currently serves as the Global Chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, a position he has held since 2012. From 2006 to 2011, he served as Co-Chair of the Litigation Department in the Washington DC office. He has also served on the District of Columbia Bar Association’s Legal Ethics Committee since 2015.

Born in Pakistan, Qureshi earned his bachelor’s degree in 1993 from Cornell University and his law degree in 1997 from Harvard Law School.

If confirmed, he will fill the seat left by US District Judge Rosemary Collyer, who had taken senior status in May. Obama’s nomination of Qureshi has been hailed by the Muslim-American community.

I commend President Obama for taking this important step in continuing to pick the best and the brightest from every community to serve as part of our nation’s judiciary.

Farhana Khera, Former Counsel, US Senate Judiciary Committee

“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. Qureshi’s profound commitment to the rule of law and justice for people of all backgrounds makes him an exceptional nominee,” she said.