Roopali Desai | |
|---|---|
 Desai in 2023 | |
| Judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit | |
| Assumed office October 3, 2022 | |
| Appointed by | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Andrew D. Hurwitz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Roopali Harshad Desai 1978 (age 47–48) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Relatives | Sharad H. Desai (brother) |
| Education | University of Arizona (BA,MPH,JD) |
Roopali Hardin Desai (born 1978)[1] is a Canadian-American lawyer who has served since 2022 as aUnited States circuit judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Desai was born in 1978 inToronto, Canada. HerGujarati parents were born inIndia.[2][3] She attended theUniversity of Arizona, graduating in 2000 with aBachelor of Arts. She worked as an outreach coordinator at a children's advocacy center and earned aMaster of Public Health from Arizona in 2001. From 2001 to 2002, Desai was director of residential services at adomestic violence shelter. She then attended Arizona'sJames E. Rogers College of Law, graduating in 2005 with aJuris Doctor.[1][4][5] Desai served as the legal counsel and campaign attorney[6] for SenatorKyrsten Sinema.[7]
After graduating from law school, Desai was alaw clerk to Chief JudgeMary M. Schroeder of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2005 to 2006. From 2006 to 2007, she was an associate atLewis & Roca inPhoenix, Arizona. In 2007, Desai joined the Phoenix law firm Coppersmith Brockelman as an associate, becoming a partner in 2013.[4] In naming her one of the publication's 2022 "Women of the Year",USA Today called her "a hero of Democratic legal causes", noting her work to launch a recreational marijuana program in Arizona, her lawsuits fightingfalse claims about the2020 United States presidential election, and her work to overturn a ban on mask mandates.[8][9] Desai is a member of theACLU.[10]
In 2020, Desai represented the Arizona Dispensaries Association in advising it on amarijuana legalization campaign.[11]
After the2020 U.S. presidential election, Desai represented theArizona Secretary of State's office in several cases involving unsuccessful challenges to the state's results.[12]
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On June 15, 2022, PresidentJoe Biden nominated Desai to serve as aUnited States circuit judge for theNinth Circuit. Biden nominated Desai to the seat vacated by JudgeAndrew D. Hurwitz, who announced his intent to assumesenior status upon confirmation of a successor.[13] On July 13, 2022, a hearing on her nomination was held before theSenate Judiciary Committee.[14] On July 28, her nomination was favorably reported by the committee by avoice vote, with SenatorsMike Lee,Ted Cruz,Josh Hawley, andMarsha Blackburn voting "no".[15][16] On August 4, theUnited States Senate confirmed her nomination by a 67–29 vote, just 50 days after her initial nomination and the fastest of any court of appeals nomination since theClinton administration.[17][18] She received her judicial commission on October 3, 2022.[19] Desai became the firstSouth Asian person to serve on the Ninth Circuit.[20]
Desai is married to artist andPhoenix College professor Jay Hardin. The couple have three daughters.[21] Her brother,Sharad H. Desai, is a district judge for theUnited States District Court for the District of Arizona.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.| Legal offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 2022–present | Incumbent |