He becomes the second Indian American judge of an appeals court after Sri Srinivasan.
The US Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Indian American Judge Amul R. Thapar to the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals.
Thapar’s name was confirmed after overcoming strong opposition from Democrats. He 52-44 vote was along party-line.
The 47-year-old Thapar was the first Indian American nominated by President Donald Trump to a key judicial position.
He is now the second Indian American judge of an appeals court after Sri Srinivasan, who was appointed to the DC circuit court of appeals by President Obama.
“Judge Thapar will make an outstanding addition to the U.S Appeals Court for the Sixth Circuit. He has a reputation as a qualified judge with an impressive legal mind. He will fairly apply the law to all who enter his courtroom,” Majority Leader Mitch McConnel, the US senator from Kentucky, said in a statement.
“Judge Thapar has the necessary credentials, integrity, and respect from his colleagues to join the Sixth Circuit. I am proud to support him,” he said.
Related: Senate Judiciary Committee approves nomination of Amul Thapar for sixth circuit
The South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) also congratulated Thapar on his confirmation.
“On behalf of SABA, I congratulate Judge Thapar who is a proven asset to the federal judiciary, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky whom he’s served for almost a decade, and the South Asian legal community,” SABA President Vichal Kumar said in a news statement.
“Judge Thapar’s confirmation further cements his legacy as a pioneer, esteemed jurist and dedicated public servant. We anticipate that Judge Thapar’s renowned dedication to his craft and commendable judicial temperament will serve him well in this integral position,” he added.
Thapar became the United States’ first South Asian Article judge in 2006 when he was appointed as a US District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky by former President George W. Bush.
On April 24, the American Bar Association gave Thapar its highest ranking of “well-qualified” unanimously.
Born in Detroit, Thapar received a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College and a Juris Doctor from US Berkeley School of Law.
Related: President Trump nominates Indian American Amul Thapar to key judicial post
He is an alumna of the University Of Virginia School Of Law, Vanderbilt Law School, and the Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law.
He has served as the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky and chaired AGAC’s Controlled Substances and Asset Forfeiture subcommittee.
Thapar also served on the Terrorism and National Security Subcommittee, the Violent Crime Subcommittee, and Child Exploitation working group.