Biden Nominates Norton Recommendation, Sparkle L. Sooknanan, for the U.S. District Court for D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that President Biden has nominated Norton’s recommendation, Sparkle L. Sooknanan, to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Sooknanan has been the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the United States Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division since 2023. She previously served as a Deputy Associate Attorney General in the Department of Justice after first working in the Department as an appellate attorney in the Civil Division. She served as a law clerk for Justice Sonia Sotomayor on the U.S. Supreme Court, for Judge Guido Calabresi on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and for Judge Eric N. Vitaliano on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Sooknanan received her J.D., summa cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School, her M.B.A. with distinction from Hofstra University, and her B.S., summa cum laude, from St. Francis College.

Because D.C. lacks senators to recommend candidates for some positions, Presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden granted Norton senatorial courtesy to recommend judges for the U.S. District Court for D.C., the U.S. Attorney for D.C., the U.S. Marshal for the D.C. Superior Court, and the U.S. Marshal for the U.S. District Court for D.C. Norton has established a nominating commission, comprised of lawyers and non-lawyers from all eight wards in D.C., to screen applicants and to make recommendations to her for the senatorial courtesy positions.

"As is evident from her extensive and impressive accomplishments, Sparkle Sooknanan has the principles, acumen and experience to serve as an exemplary federal judge," Norton said. "She will bring much-needed diversity to the federal bench. I look forward to her Senate confirmation and service, and thank President Biden for granting me senatorial courtesy to recommend judges for the U.S. District Court for D.C."

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