Obama nominates Indian American for US attorney in New York

Lalit K Jha

Washington, May 17 (PTI) A Punjab-born Indian American
lawyer has been nominated by President Barack Obama as the US
Attorney for the Southern District of New York, considered the
most prestigious federal prosecutor's post outside Washington.

A Harvard graduate, Bharara currently is Chief Counsel
for Senator Charles Schumer from New York.

Obama announced the nomination of Bharara along with
four other nominations for various US attorneys -- Tristram
Coffin, Jenny Durkan, Paul Fishman, John Paul Kacavas and
Joyce Vance, the White House said.

"This group of men and women have distinguished
themselves as fair, tenacious and respected attorneys
throughout their careers in both public and private service,"
Obama said in a statement.

"They will serve their country with distinction as US
Attorneys and it is my honour to nominate them for these
esteemed positions," he said.

If confirmed by the Senate, Bharara would lead an office
that is considered the most prestigious federal prosecutor's
post outside Washington, with a focus on securities fraud,
white-collar crime, public corruption and terrorism, The New
York Times reported.

Named the 2007 South Asian Lawyer of the Year by the
North American South Asian Bar Association, Bharara served as
Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight
and the Courts from 2005 to 2009.

During his tenure, Bharara helped lead the Senate
Judiciary Committee investigation into the firing of eight US
attorneys.

From 2000 to 2005, he served as an Assistant US Attorney
in the Southern District of New York, working in the General
Crimes, Narcotics, and Organised Crime/Terrorism Units.

From 1993 to 2000, he worked in private practice as a
litigation associate - at Swidler Berlin Shereff Friedman in
New York from 1996 to 2000 and at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in
New York from 1993 to 1996.

Born in Punjab, Bharara came to the US as an infant and
is a naturalised citizen. He grew up in Monmouth County, New
Jersey. PTI LKJ
PMR