TEXAS – The Southern District of Texas has sworn in the first Asian American as the 24th presidentially-appointed U.S. Attorney.
As the USA for the SDTX, Hamdani is the chief law enforcement officer responsible for prosecuting and defending the interests of the United States in the seventh-largest district in the nation.
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Hamdani took the oath of office at 10 a.m. Monday before an audience, including Judge Crane’s staff, federal court personnel, federal public defender and Assistant U.S. Attorneys and staff.
Calling it an honor to administer the oath to Hamdani, Judge Crane mentioned the sacrifices of public service and that serving as the USA commands respect. He further explained the shared responsibility of moving cases through the process and working together to ensure people are fairly and efficiently treated in our justice system.
Jennifer B. Lowery, who had served as the acting, then court-appointed USA since the departure of former USA Ryan K. Patrick, commented on Hamdani’s background and how the office is happy to have him. She noted that Hamdani said he was “excited to get started.”
Hamdani thanked the previous leadership and described wanting to carry on the traditions he had learned. He spoke of former USA Don DeGabrielle, who spoke at his AUSA orientation almost 15 years ago, and how he taught him about the high standards expected of a federal prosecutor.
Hamdani also spoke of the last eight years as an AUSA with the SDTX as a “dream come true.” He explained that just representing the United States is one of the greatest things of his career. He told the audience of how he came to this country as an immigrant from England almost 40 years ago and cited the beauty of being a part of this great country.
In swearing in Hamdani, Judge Crane noted the job would not be an easy one, stating that the SDTX is a large district, which carries a tremendous responsibility. He thanked Hamdani for traveling to the McAllen office for the oath and that he was looking forward to working with him.
President Joe Biden nominated Hamdani to serve as USA for this district on Nov. 14, upon the recommendation of U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. The full Senate unanimously confirmed his appointment on Dec. 6.
Hamdani has been with the Department of Justice since 2008. Most recently, he has been an AUSA with the SDTX, primarily responsible for the investigation and prosecution of national security and official corruption crimes. From 2010 to 2014, Hamdani served in the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, holding the position of deputy chief from 2012 to 2014. Prior to that, he was an AUSA in the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Prior to his government service, Hamdani was a partner at the law firm of Hamdani & Simon LLP in Texas from 2005 to 2008 where he litigated corporate disputes and civil rights matters. In 2003, he helped form the South Asian Bar Association of North America, holding various leadership positions in the organization, including president from 2007 to 2008. From 2001 to 2005, Hamdani was an associate attorney in the Houston office of the law firm Winstead P.C.
During his tenure as an AUSA with the SDTX, Hamdani was also an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center.
Hamdani received his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 1999 and his B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1993.
The SDTX, 7th largest in terms of personnel, typically prosecutes more cases against more defendants than most other USAOs nationwide, representing 43 counties and nine million people and covering 44,000 square miles. This district currently comprises seven U.S. District Court divisions with federal district courts in Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo. The U.S. Attorney’s office, headquartered in Houston, has branch offices in all seven divisions.