Schumer Recommends Daniel Alter to Serve as First Openly Gay Man on the Federal Bench

by HRC Staff

WASHINGTON -- Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) has announced that he is recommending Daniel Alter to President Barack Obama to serve as a judge in the Southern District federal court of New York. Mr. Alter will be the first openly gay male nominated for the federal court in American history. Senator Schumer shared his intentions to nominate Mr. Alter at the Greater New York Human Rights Campaign Gala Dinner on Saturday and officially recommended Mr. Alter to the President earlier this week.

"Daniel Alter is eminently qualified for a position on the federal bench. America is taking a step forward toward equality by evaluating an individual based on his accomplishments and without regard to his sexual orientation," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "We commend Senator Schumer for his historic recommendation, and look forward to the President's nomination."

The Human Rights Campaign has advocated on behalf of Mr. Alter's nomination since December 2008, when a letter was sent to the Obama Transition Team by HRC President, Joe Solmonese, strongly endorsing Mr. Alter's candidacy for the federal bench. Mr. Alter's experience, knowledge and temperament make him ideally suited for a position on federal bench.

Mr. Alter is a graduate of Columbia College and Yale Law School. As a young lawyer, he clerked for the Hon. John M. Walker and the Hon. Guido Calabresi, who both served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Mr. Alter served for six years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, specializing in first amendment matters and terrorism issues.

Mr. Alter is not only a legal expert in terrorism and security he is a strong advocate for civil rights. As the National Director of the Civil Rights Division of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Mr. Alter led ADL's charge against hate crimes, both at home and abroad.

Furthermore, Mr. Alter has a firm grasp of the legal issues affecting the business community. He has been a partner at the law firm of Hogan & Harston, LLP, and a principle at Alter & Alter, LLP, specializing in media and communications work, appellate litigation and complicated commercial cases. He has extensive experience with complex litigation and currently serves as a Director at Credit Suisse, where he is responsible for deploying $100 million on behalf of the Litigation Risk Strategies Group.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Contact Us

To make a general inquiry, please visit our contact page. Members of the media can reach our press office at: (202) 572-8968 or email press@hrc.org.