US Senate confirms Indian-American for US District Court

Indian-American legal luminary Vince Girdhari Chhabria has been confirmed by the United States' Senate as a federal judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of California.
The Senate yesterday voted 58 to 41 to confirm Chhabria to the federal bench, where he will serve as the first South Asian district judge in California, and one of only a few South Asian federal judges across the US.
Chhabria, who is currently travelling to India, in a statement, thanked US President Barack Obama for nominating him to the prestigious judiciary position in the country.
Currently, Deputy City Attorney at the San Francisco city attorney's office, Chhabria also thanked Senator Barbara Boxer for recommending him to the President and Senator Feinstein for her support and guidance through the confirmation process.

"The fact that I have been confirmed while travelling in India makes this an especially proud moment for me," Chhabria said.
The South Asian Bar Association of North America welcomed the confirmation of Chhabria, describing this as a historic occasion for the community.

Previously, Chhabria worked as an associate at the law firm Covington and Burling LLP from 2002 to 2004. From 2001 to 2002, he clerked for Justice Stephen G Breyer on the United States Supreme Court.
In 2001, Chhabria worked at the law firm of Keker and Van Nest, LLP, after completing a one-year clerkship for Judge James R Browning of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

He began his legal career by clerking for Judge Charles R Breyer of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California from 1998 to 1999.
Chhabria received his J D in 1998 from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley and his B A in 1991 from the University of California, Santa Cruz.