Mahima
US President Joe Biden announced his intention of nominating a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) woman, Rupa Ranga Puttagunta as a federal judge. The presidential nominations include 10 for Federal Circuit and District Court for judges post and 1 for Superior Court Judge of District of Columbia.
These accomplished candidates reflect President’s ideology that the federal bench should represent entire diversity of American citizens, both in background and professional sphere. Judge Puttagunta would be the first Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) woman serving the US District Court for the District of DC, if approved by the US Senate. Judge Puttagunta is currently serving as an Administrative Judge for the D.C. Rental Housing Commission.
Prior to joining the Commission, she was a solo practitioner for six years. Before indulging in solo practice, she practiced family and appellate law at Delaney McKinney, LLP for a year. She also provided hours of pro bono legal services by representing victims of domestic violence in D.C. Superior Court as she volunteered at D.C. Superior Court’s Family Court Self-Help Centre and Attorney Negotiator Program.
She began her legal career as a law clerk for Judge William M. Jackson of the D.C. Superior Court and other Senior Judges of the D.C. Court of Appeals. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Ohio State Moritz College of Law.
