SCHUMER-RECOMMENDED ATTORNEY JESSE FURMAN CONFIRMED BY FULL SENATE TO SERVE ON UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
With a Stellar Legal Background and Record of Commitment to Public Service, Furman Will Be an Excellent Judge
Schumer: Furman Will Make an Outstanding Addition to the Federal Bench
Yesterday, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Jesse Furman, whom Schumer recommended to President Obama in March, was confirmed by the President to serve as a federal judge on the prestigious United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by a 62-34 vote. Furman, who currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Appeals in the United States Attorney's office for New York's Southern District, has accrued an impressive record of achievement, both as a private attorney and as a public servant, over the course of his distinguished legal career. Schumer cited Furman's outstanding credentials, his years of professional experience, and his continued commitment to the pursuit of justice as reasons why he will make an excellent judge.
"Jesse has a first-rate legal mind, a stellar record as an attorney and a strong commitment to public service. I know he'll make a fantastic judge on the Southern District bench," said Schumer.
After earning his bachelor's degree summa cum laude from Harvard University and his JD from Yale Law School, Furman held three prestigious judicial clerkships, one for Judge Michael B. Mukasey on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, another for Judge Jose A. Cabranes on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and a third, from 2002-2003, for Associate Justice David Souter on the United States Supreme Court. Upon completing his clerkships, Furman went to work at the firm of Wiggin & Dana, where he specialized in civil appellate litigation and white collar criminal defense. He handled cases covering a wide variety of constitutional and commercial issues, while representing numerous clients in connection with grand jury investigations.
After three years at Wiggin & Dana, Furman entered public service, working for the Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York in the Criminal Division. There, Furman led prosecution efforts against international drug traffickers, leaders of organized crime, and major terror suspects including Faisel Shahzad, the Times Square bomber. In 2007, he received the International Award of Honor from the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association. From 2007 to 2009, Furman was detailed to the Office of the Attorney General of the United States, where he served as a Counselor to Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, providing a range of policy and issue management advice pertaining to civil rights, drug enforcement, immigration, and criminal law. Since 2009, when Furman returned to the U.S. Attorney's office, he has served as the Deputy Chief of Appeals, handling issues related to national security.
Furman has admissions to the New York State Bar, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Goddard Riverside Community Center, a human services organization that aims to provide food, shelter, and education to those in need.