Ushir Pandit-Durant, an Indian-American woman judge became the first recipient of a US public service award in recognition of her contributions in the field of law. The Queens Senior Assistant District Attorney and newly elected Civil Court Judge Ushir Pandit-Durant was honored with the ‘South Asian Public Service Award’ by the Office of Immigrant Affairs under Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
“It is fitting that Senior Assistant District Attorney and Judge-Elect Pandit-Durant to be the first recipient of our office’s South Asian Public Service Award as she personifies the determination, strength and vitality of the Indian heritage,” Brown said in a statement.
Pandit-Durant and her family emigrated from India to the US when she was 10 and “went on to excel at school and in her legal career,” he said. Earlier this month she became the first South Asian-American elected to a judgeship in Queens County.
In presenting the award, Brown said, “Diversity is one of America’s greatest strengths.
Leadership comes in all races and ethnicities…It is important in public service to have a diversity which reflects the makeup of the community that we serve. It helps to enhance credibility, confidence and trust and better serve our community.”
