Obama Nominates Stanford Grad to U.S. District Court

Federal prosecutor Manish S. Shah may soon sit on a federal bench.

Nominated by President Barack Obama Thursday for a judicial bench, Shah, was first recommended by Republican Senator Mark Kirk and then supported by Democrat Dick Durbin—both of Illinois, where Shah lives and works. The bipartisan support could mean an easy confirmation for the New York native.

Along with Shah, Obama nominated Judge Cynthia Ann Bashant, Stanley Allen Bastian, Diane J. Humetawa, Justice Jon David Levy, Judge Steven Paul Logan, Judge Douglas L. Rayes, and John Joseph Tuchi for District Court judgeships.

"These men and women have had distinguished legal careers and I am honored to ask them to continue their work as judges on the federal bench," said President Obama. "They will serve the American people with integrity and an unwavering commitment to justice."

Here's Shah's biography courtesy of The White House:

Manish S. Shah has been an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois since 2001.  Shah currently serves as Chief of the Criminal Division, having previously served as Chief of Criminal Appeals from 2011 to 2012.  Shah was also Deputy Chief of the Financial Crimes & Special Prosecutions Section from 2008 to 2011 and Deputy Chief of the General Crimes Section from 2007 to 2008.  Prior to joining the United States Attorney’s Office, Shah clerked for Judge James B. Zagel of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois from 1999 to 2001 and worked as an associate at Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe in San Francisco from 1998 to 1999.  He received his J.D. with honors in 1998 from the University of Chicago Law School and his B.A. with honors and distinction in 1994 from StanfordUniversity.