President Barack Obama is set to nominate Vanita Gupta, a top Indian-American lawyer, to head the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice – regarded as one of the key positions in the department. 

A long-time civil rights lawyer associated with the American Civil liberties Union (AClU), Gupta will succeed Molly Moran, who will be taking over as Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General.

While the formal nomination for a permanent position is expected in the coming months, the 39-year-old Gupta has already been named Acting Assistant Attorney General and will begin her work on October 20.

“Vanita has spent her entire career working to ensure that our nation lives up to its promise of equal justice for all,” said Attorney General Eric Holder, noting: “Even as she has done trailblazing work as a civil rights lawyer, Vanita is also known as a unifier and consensus builder. She has a knack for bridging differences and building coalitions to drive progress.”

In her new position, Gupta will enforce civil rights laws that prevent discrimination and inequitable practices in housing, education and employment.

   Gupta, who received a BA, magna cum laude, from Yale University and JD from New York University School of law, was till recently the Deputy legal Director of AClU, with expertise on federal and state policing issues, immigration and criminal justice reform. Previously, she was an attorney for AClU’s Racial Justice Programme.

   She started her career with the NAACP legal Defense and Educational Fund and has been active in supporting South Asian communities.

   South Asian Americans leading Together (SAAlT), a prominent community body, applauded the appointment. “Vanita Gupta is the ideal choice to head the Civil Rights Division given her vast experience and stellar reputation in the civil rights community,” said Suman Raghunathan, Executive Director of SAAlT.