Muslim American Lawyer Nominated as First Judge on US Appeals Court
In a historic moment for Muslim Americans, President Joe Biden has nominated Adeel Mangi, a Pakistan-born lawyer, to serve as a judge on a federal appeals court. If approved by the U.S. Senate, Mangi will become the first Muslim American to hold this position on a U.S. appellate court.
The nomination was announced alongside seven other judicial nominees, highlighting the administration’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the judiciary. Mangi has been nominated for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which is based in Philadelphia.
Adeel Mangi is a partner at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, a renowned U.S. law firm. His impressive legal career includes joining the firm in 2000 after completing an LLM from Harvard Law School. He is also a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn and holds a First-Class Degree in Law from the University of Oxford.
Throughout his career, Mangi has been actively involved in various organizations and initiatives. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Alliance of Families for Justice and has collaborated with the New York Muslim Bar Association, the Legal Aid Society of New York, and Muslims for Progressive Values.
Notably, Mangi has achieved significant success in his litigation work. His law firm highlights his accomplishments, such as obtaining the largest jury verdict in the history of the Virginia court system in a theft of trade secrets case within the software industry. Additionally, he secured the largest settlement with New York state in history in cases involving the death of a state prison inmate.
Mangi’s nomination is timely, considering his advocacy for religious freedom cases during the presidency of Donald Trump. He has been at the forefront of legal battles concerning the Muslim community, demonstrating his commitment to upholding the rights of marginalized communities.
Interestingly, Mangi’s nomination comes at a time when President Biden faces criticism from Muslim voters for his stance on the Gaza conflict and rising Islamophobia. While the nomination shows progress in representation at the judicial level, it also highlights the ongoing challenges and diverse perspectives within the Muslim American community.
Overall, Adeel Mangi’s historic nomination as the first Muslim American judge on a U.S. appellate court marks a significant milestone in the journey toward inclusivity and diversity in the American judiciary. His vast legal expertise and commitment to justice are valuable contributions that will shape the future of the U.S. appeals court system.
