President Joe Biden is set to make history with his latest round of federal judicial nominations. Among the five nominees, Adeel A. Mangi stands out as he is poised to become the first Muslim American judge on a federal appeals court if confirmed. This groundbreaking announcement aligns with the Biden administration's commitment to diversifying the federal judiciary.
Adeel Mangi, a seasoned attorney and partner at the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, has been nominated to serve on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which oversees Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands. Mangi's legal repertoire includes work on commercial contracts, false advertising, and consumer protection statutes. Notably, he was involved in securing a $2 billion verdict in a significant software industry trade secrets case.
Mangi's professional history also includes active involvement in various legal and advocacy organizations. He has served on the board of the Muslim Bar Association of New York, the Legal Aid Society of New York, and Muslims for Progressive Values, and as an ally board member for the National LGBT Bar Association.
In addition to Mangi, the White House announced four other nominees, reflecting a range of professional and demographic diversity. This includes St. Joseph County, Indiana, Superior Court Judge Cristal Brisco, who, if confirmed, would become the first Black woman and the first woman of color to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
Biden to nominate attorney who would be first Muslim American judge on a federal appeals court: Adeel A. Mangi would serve on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals if confirmed by the Senate. https://t.co/VjuKLCq9A7 — BE:FIRST NEWS (@befirstnews) November 15, 2023
The Biden administration's focus on diversifying the federal judiciary is evident in the professional backgrounds of the nominees, which include public defenders, civil rights lawyers, and those from non-traditional legal paths. White House counsel Ed Siskel emphasized this strategy, stating that the new nominations continue the president's efforts "to bring professional and demographic diversity to the federal judiciary."
Of Biden's 154 judicial nominees confirmed by the Senate, two-thirds are women, and two-thirds are people of color, including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the court's first Black female justice. The White House highlights its record on appointing judges with diverse professional experiences, setting it apart from previous administrations.
As the nominations proceed, the spotlight will be on the Senate's role in the confirmation process. The Biden administration's ability to match or exceed the judicial appointments of former President Donald Trump, who appointed over 230 judges during his term, remains a point of interest and challenge.
The announcement comes at a time when the U.S. grapples with complex legal and social issues, including rising Islamophobia, tensions over civil rights, and a changing judicial landscape. The diverse slate of nominees signals the administration's intent to address these challenges with a judiciary that reflects the nation's diversity and varied legal expertise.
