Indian-American sworn in as first judge of Ayer District Court in US

New York (Best Hindu News): Indian-American Judge Tejal Mehta was sworn in as the first judge of the Ayer District Court in the US state of Massachusetts. Mehta, who served as an assistant judge on the same court, was elected unanimously and was sworn in on March 2 by District Court Chief Justice Stacy Fortes, the Lowell Sun reported.

“I am confident that the Ayer District Court will do well under his leadership,” Fortes said.

The ceremony was attended by several members of Mehta’s family, including his 14-year-old daughter Meena Sheth, who was among the speakers at the ceremony.

“As a lawyer, you can help people, but you can only help them so far,” Mehta was quoted as saying in the Lowell Sun.

“As a judge, there is a lot you can do and get to the root of issues and talk to people in a way that really reaches out to them.”

Mehta said her goal is to make a positive impact on the community she grew up with.

“I have seen hope and despair in every courtroom in which I have sat as a judge. But when you’re a first judge, you can really get to know the community and make a real impact.”

Born to a chemist father and a hospital worker mother, Mehta graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in English.

Thereafter, he completed a JD at Boston University School of Law in 2000.

After graduating from law school, Mehta began his legal career as an assistant clerk for the Suffolk County Superior Court.

In 2005, the Indian-American judge joined the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office as an assistant district attorney.

His memberships included the Massachusetts Bar Association and the South Asian Bar Association.

She also sat on the Board of Bar Overseers as well as the Executive Board of the Bedford Montessori School. There are 94 district courts, 13 circuit courts and one Supreme Court across the country.

She will handle cases within the federal court system, both civil and criminal.