NEW YORK, – On May 17, 2024, ECBAWM joined more than 30 leading law firms in a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) urging confirmation of Adeel A. Mangi’s nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Mr. Mangi, rated “well qualified” by the American Bar Association, has been a successful commercial litigator for decades. Nonetheless, he has faced opposition due to baseless attacks on his considerable pro bono work and public service. A copy of the letter can be found here.

In particular, certain elected officials and political groups have targeted Mr. Mangi for his pro bono work with the Alliance of Families for Justice (“AFJ”), a non-profit and non-partisan group that advocates for incarcerated people and their families. In 2016, Mr. Mangi accepted a pro bono referral from AFJ to represent the family of an incarcerated person who was beaten to death by Corrections Officers in an upstate New York prison while he was handcuffed. Mr. Mangi, along with now-ECBAWM attorney Dan Eisenberg, litigated this case from pre-complaint investigation through a two-week jury trial. It settled on the eve of closing arguments for the largest sum in New York history for the death of an incarcerated person in State custody as well as the State’s unprecedented agreement to install video cameras throughout the prison. These cameras protect incarcerated people and prison staff alike. Mr. Mangi and Mr. Eisenberg are monitoring the State’s implementation of the settlement agreement. This case and its resolution were covered by The Atlantic and The Marshall Project.

“Mr. Mangi’s pro bono service to protect the civil rights of marginalized people is laudable. He is exactly the type of person who belongs on the federal bench,” said Matthew D. Brinckerhoff, ECBAWM Partner and Pro Bono Chair, and signatory to the May 17, 2024 letter to U.S. Senate leaders.

“I worked closely with Adeel for six years, and I am proud to call him my friend. He is an outstanding attorney of the highest character. We would be lucky to have someone with his compassion, integrity, and intellect as part of our federal judiciary. The U.S. Senate should confirm his nomination immediately,” said ECBAWM attorney Dan Eisenberg.