AFJ Applauds Confirmation of Judge Roopali H. Desai

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 4, 2022 – Today the Senate voted 67–29 to confirm Roopali H. Desai as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. 

Desai brings not only extensive legal experience but expertise on election law, leading her firm’s Election and Political Law Group. Desai has notably litigated around many ballot measure campaigns and successfully convinced the Arizona Supreme Court to void an unconstitutional ban on mask mandates. She also represented labor unions challenging the constitutionality of a law that made it more difficult to pay union dues. She would be the first person of South Asian descent to serve on the Ninth Circuit. 

Alliance for Justice Legal Director for Federal Courts Kimberly Humphrey issued the following statement: 

“It’s encouraging to see such strong support in the Senate for Judge Desai given her incredible commitment to equal justice for all. She has fought to protect the validity of elections, the accessibility of education, and the rights of workers. We should see such broad support for all of President Biden’s nominees given how many have similarly remarkable records. That would make it far easier to ensure the long list of other nominees awaiting their votes could be confirmed quickly and easily to ensure none are still waiting at the end of this year.”