New judicial appointments are making state history for South Asians
In courtrooms across America, a quiet but steady change has been taking place. South Asian women are ascending to the bench in unprecedented numbers, bringing diversity, unique perspectives, and a wealth of experience to the judicial system. Here are some of the latest history-making appointments:
Nevada. In June of this year, Governor Joe Lombardo appointed Tina Talim to the Eighth Judicial District Court in Nevada. Talim, an immigrant from India who arrived in the United States as a young child, has become the first South Asian person to hold a judicial position in the state.
“I am deeply honored to serve as a judge and grateful for this opportunity,” Talim said in a recent announcement. “This milestone not only represents personal achievement but also showcases the increasing diversity within our judicial system.”
Washington D.C. Appointed to the District Court in December 2023, Loren AliKhan became the woman to serve on the federal trial court in the District of Columbia. Her appointment is part of an ongoing string of historic appointments to federal positions, where positions have typically been overwhelmingly white and male, but a priority has finally been put on professional, gender, and racial diversity.
San Francisco. In 2022, Roopali Desai was named the first ever South Asian to serve on the Ninth Circuit Federal Appeals Court, based in San Francisco. Desai made a name for herself fighting against election lawsuits in the wake of the 2020 presidential election. “Roopali represents what’s best of America and the qualities needed of a federal judge: hard work, service, and commitment to our Constitution,” said Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema. “As I shepherded Roopali’s nomination through the Senate, I highlighted her personal values and professional experience – and ultimately the Senate agreed with me, earning overwhelming bipartisan support for her confirmation.”
