Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 15, 2011

SCHUMER RECOMMENDS MAGISTRATE JUDGE ANDREW L. CARTER, JR. TO SERVE ON SOUTHERN DISTRICT COURT

Through His Distinguished Career, Andrew Carter, Jr. Has Displayed the Legal Excellence, Jurisprudence, and Dedication Needed For the Job

Harvard Graduate Carter Spent His Entire Career As a Public Defender and Judge, Demonstrating a Deep Commitment to Public Service

Schumer: Andrew Carter, Jr. Is a First-Rate Lawyer and Will Make A Fantastic Judge

New York, NY - U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) announced that he recommended Eastern District Magistrate Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr. to President Obama to serve as a judge in the prestigious Southern District federal court. Schumer laid out a number of reasons why Carter would be excellent for the position, including his even-handedness, temperament, and first-rate legal skills. Schumer also pointed to Carter’s years of public service, both as the founder of a non-profit, as a public defender, and as a judge, and noted his stellar reputation among lawyers, prosecutors, judges and his long record of action in the African-American community and beyond.

“With his distinguished legal credentials and inspiring record of public service, Andrew Carter has the right combination of expertise and dedication to make an excellent judge on the court,” said Schumer. “I am pleased to recommend Andrew Carter, Jr. to President Obama. I look for three things in judges – excellence, diversity, and moderation – and I know Carter will bring those qualities, and more, to the bench.”

Andrew Carter, Jr. is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Harvard Law School. After graduating from law school, Carter received a two-year fellowship with the Ford Foundation where he conducted legal research and supported the foundation’s grant making endeavors. Carter then worked for thirteen years as a public defender where he provided defense representation to those unable to afford a lawyer through the Legal Aid Society and then later through the Federal Defenders of New York, where by the end of his tenure he was Supervising Attorney. In June 2009, Carter was appointed Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York, where he primarily handles civil cases, in addition to criminal matters.

Carter also has long demonstrated a commitment to serving New York City and urban communities. In addition to his career as a public defender, as a law student Carter co-founded the BELL Foundation, which now provides students across the country with educational summer and after school activities in low-income communities. Carter continues to serve on the board of the foundation, which provides services to thousands of New York City children each year.

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