Schumer Recommends Daniel Alter to Serve on Southern District Court, First-Ever Openly Gay Man to be Nominated to the Federal Bench

Statement

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he is recommending Daniel Alter to President Obama to serve as a judge in the Southern District federal court. Mr. Alter is a history-making pick, as he is the first openly gay male nominated for the federal court in American history. Schumer laid out several reasons Alter would make an excellent fit for the job. Schumer said that Alter's stellar legal background, close ties to New York, even-handedness, temperament and demonstrated leadership skills would make him an excellent choice for the Southern District Court. Schumer also said that he is highly capable and very qualified for the position.

"Daniel Alter couldn't be a more perfect choice. He is a brilliant attorney who possesses the knowledge, balanced views and temperament required of a federal judge," Schumer said. "His outstanding leadership skills, his commitment to justice, and his extensive experience make him an exceptional choice for a position on the federal bench. I'm proud to nominate Daniel Alter. Period. But I am equally proud to nominate him because he is a history-maker who will be the first openly gay male judge in American history."

Alter is a graduate of Columbia College and Yale Law School. As a young lawyer, Mr. Alter clerked for the Hon. John M. Walker and the Hon. Guido Calabresi, who both served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Alter served for six years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. There, he specialized in first amendment matters and quickly became the Office's in-house expert on terrorism issues. He worked on al Qaeda cases and served on the prosecution team for the African embassy bombing trials. Alter's in-depth knowledge of the terrorism and security challenges we face on a state and national level will be invaluable.

Alter is not only a legal expert in terrorism and security; he is a strong advocate for civil rights. As the National Director of the Civil Rights Division of the Anti-Defamation League, Daniel led the ADL's charge against hate crimes, both at home and abroad.

Schumer added, "It is rare to find a candidate with both the raw intelligence and the practical experience of Mr. Alter. Mr. Alter is not only a highly qualified candidate for the Southern District Court and a lawyer whose views have been tempered by a broad range of experiences in the public and private sectors, but a candidate who would enhance the diversity of the federal bench. I have often said that I strive to appoint those with three qualities: excellence, moderation and diversity, and Mr. Alter fits that prescription to a "T'."

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