President Joe Biden nominates Phoenix attorney to US Court of Appeals

PHOENIX – President Joe Biden on Wednesday nominated Phoenix attorney Roopali H. Desai to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Desai is a partner with Coppersmith Brockelman’s litigation group. She focuses complex civil litigation, political law and civil appeals, according to the firm’s website.

In one of her high-profile cases, she represented a coalition of Arizona educators and allies last year who successfully sued over a state ban on face mask mandates in schools. A judge ruled that the law violated the state constitution because it was rolled into budget bills illegally.

In March, USA Today named Desai one of 12 Women of the Year national honorees for defending the integrity of the 2020 presidential election, joining a prestigious group that included Olympic hero Simone Biles and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Desai’s clients have included political candidates and parties, including U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.

“I have known Roopali for over 10 years. In that time, I have seen her deep respect and understanding of the law up close,” Sinema said in a press release. “She is a trusted legal expert highly regarded across the political spectrum in Arizona, known for her integrity and fairness.”

If confirmed by the Senate, Desai would become the first person of South Asian descent to serve on the Ninth Circuit appeals court.

“I congratulate her on this historic nomination and appreciate the administration’s process to elevate talented and experienced Arizonans to the federal bench,” Sen. Mark Kelly said.

Desai, who studied at the University of Arizona, was among seven federal judicial nominees announced Wednesday.

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