On February 24, President Obama nominated Laura E. Duffy to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California. Duffy has been with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California since 1997 and currently serves as Deputy Chief of the General Crimes Section. She is highly respected by both defense attorneys, federal prosecutors and judges, and is best known for her role in leading the team that successfully prosecuted members of the Arellano Félix drug cartel in southern California.
The nomination of Duffy, who is an out lesbian, to serve as a U.S. Attorney is significant for the LGBT community and demonstrates the Obama Administration’s dedication to promoting qualified and diverse candidates, judging them on their professional accomplishments. Because of its location, the Southern District of California is one of the most important federal districts in the country for enforcement of drug and immigration laws.
Duffy’s nomination now awaits confirmation from the U.S. Senate.
The Human Rights Campaign's perspective on the news, issues and events affecting the every day lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people across the country.
![HRC-BACKSTORY [BLOG]](http://174.121.110.138/~hrcorg/hrcbackstory/images/logo/hrc-backstory.jpg){kind=logo}
