Demystifying the United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice
On Thursday, September 28, the Strauss Center and Texas Law Career Services Office welcomed Alamdar Hamdani, 24th United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, for a conversation on “Demystifying the United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice.”
This talk was held at the Law School as part of the Strauss Center’s Brumley Speaker Series.
As part of his talk, Hamdani discussed how an immigrant son of a cab driver went from serving on the board of the ACLU of Texas to becoming the top federal law enforcement officer in the Southern District of Texas, a district that spans 44,000 square miles and has over nine million residents.
It’s a strange story that involves the generosity of an Indian in Kentucky, the pursuit of terrorists, the search for corrupt officials, protecting civil rights, calling out the cartels, and leading over 400 people according to the “Mama Rule.” This rule underscores the importance of treating everyone in his office, including agents and defense counsel, with the same respect and consideration one would afford to their mother. This principle reflects the values of fairness, respect, and representation, which are essential in the legal profession
Hamdani has established a remarkable career marked by a strong commitment to justice, civil rights, and national security. His journey from a humble background, with his father working as a cab driver in Manchester, England, to becoming the chief federal law enforcement officer in a district covering 9 million people is a testament to his dedication and values.
Ultimately, Alamdar Hamdani’s career trajectory reflects a deep commitment to justice, civil rights, and national security, driven by empathy, curiosity, and a strong sense of service. His leadership in the Southern District of Texas underscores the enduring importance of values such as fairness, respect, and representation in the legal profession, and his ability to adapt to changing circumstances demonstrates flexibility and resilience.
Biography
Alamdar Hamdani is the 24th United States Attorney (USA) for the Southern District of Texas. Nominated by President Biden in October 2022 and confirmed by the United States Senate in December 2022, Hamdani is the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX). The district was established in 1902 and encompasses seven divisions with federal district courts in Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo. As USA, Hamdani supervises the investigation and prosecution of all federal crimes and the litigation of all civil matters in which the United States has an interest.
Hamdani joined the SDTX in 2014, but has been with the Department of Justice since 2008. As an AUSA with the SDTX, he was primarily responsible for the investigation and prosecution of national security and official corruption crimes. From 2010 to 2014, Hamdani served in the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, holding the position of deputy chief from 2012 to 2014. Prior to that, he was an AUSA in the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Prior to his government service, Hamdani was a partner at the law firm of Hamdani & Simon LLP in Texas from 2005 to 2008 where he litigated corporate disputes and civil rights matters. In 2003, he helped form the South Asian Bar Association of North America, holding various leadership positions in the organization, including president from 2007 to 2008. From 2001 to 2005, Hamdani was an associate attorney in the Houston office of the law firm Winstead P.C.
During his tenure as an AUSA with the SDTX, Hamdani was also an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center.
Hamdani received his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 1999 and his B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1993.
