Google antitrust ruling

Judge Amit Mehta’s Landmark Ruling Against Google: An Indian-Origin Jurist Making Waves in U.S. Courts

In a significant legal decision, Amit Mehta, a U.S. District Court Judge of Indian origin, has delivered a setback to tech giant Google. Judge Mehta ruled that Google leveraged exclusive agreements to secure its position as the “default” search engine and ad provider on numerous devices, thereby gaining a substantial edge over its competitors. The trial unveiled that Google had paid billions of dollars to companies, including Apple, to maintain its status as the default search engine on their devices.

Who is District Court Judge Amit Mehta?

Early Life and Education
Born in Patan, Gujarat, Amit Mehta moved to the United States with his parents at the age of one. He pursued his BA in Political Science and Economics from Georgetown University in 1993 and subsequently earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1997.
Professional Career
After graduating from law school, Judge Mehta began his legal career at the San Francisco office of Latham & Watkins LLP. He also served as a clerk for the Honorable Susan P. Graber of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In 1999, he joined Zuckerman Spaeder LLP in Washington, DC, where he worked until 2002 before serving as a staff attorney at the District of Columbia Public Defender Service until 2007. He later returned to Zuckerman Spaeder, specializing in white-collar criminal defense, complex business disputes, and appellate advocacy.
Contributions and Leadership
During his tenure at Zuckerman Spaeder, Judge Mehta served on the Board of Directors of the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project and co-chaired the District of Columbia Bar’s Criminal Law and Individual Rights Section Steering Committee. He also contributed to youth development as a Director of Facilitating Leadership in Youth, a non-profit organization focused on after-school activities and mentoring for at-risk youth.
Judicial Appointment and Notable Cases
Appointed by former U.S. President Barack Obama, Judge Mehta assumed his role as a federal judge on December 22, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Throughout his judicial career, he has presided over high-profile cases, including representing notable clients such as former U.S. Representative Tom Feeney and former IMF President Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Judge Mehta notably played a pivotal role in helping Strauss-Kahn defeat criminal assault charges in New York.

More recently, Judge Mehta made headlines for his rulings related to the January 6 Capitol riots. He denied former President Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss civil lawsuits that held him accountable for inciting the riot, stating that his decision aligned with the principles of immunity while acknowledging the serious implications of holding a President accountable.

Conclusion

Judge Amit Mehta’s impactful rulings and distinguished legal career highlight his significant contributions to the U.S. judicial system. As a prominent figure of Indian descent, his work continues to influence the legal landscape, particularly in cases involving major corporations and pivotal political events.