US Senate panel confirms Indian American as federal judge

A key Congressional committee has confirmed the nomination of an Indian American counsel to the key post of US District Court judge for Washington, DC.

India-born Amit Privardhan Mehta had been nominated to the post by US President Barack Obama in August. His nomination was on Friday confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"I will work hard to get Amit Mehta confirmed as District Court judge during the lame-duck session," Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton said in a statement after Mehta was confirmed by the committee.

"Given Amit Mehta's exceptional qualifications, only the clock can stop us now," she added.

Mehta would become the first Asian-Pacific-American to serve as a Federal District Court judge in Washington, DC if his nomination is confirmed by the US Senate.

A graduate of Georgetown University and University of Virginia School of Law, he is currently a partner in the law firm Zuckerman Spaeder LLP, where he has been recognized by several legal publications for his exemplary work, including Super Lawyers, The National Law Journal, and Benchmark Litigation.