Indian-American Judge Arun Subramanian, the first South Asian appointed to Manhattan’s federal bench, has built a reputation for firm but balanced rulings. Known for his calm authority and meticulous approach, Subramanian told Sean “Diddy” Combs in court that the 50-month sentence reflected only the crimes for

At 45, Subramanian is one of the youngest and most closely watched judges on the federal bench. His reputation is a rare blend: part disciplinarian, part modernizer — a jurist who insists on decorum but isn’t above lighthearted banter to put jurors at ease. TMZ reported that his “relaxed temperament and calm exchanges” helped ease tensions in what has been described as the trial of the year.

A HISTORIC FIRST

Subramanian, appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022, made history as the first South Asian judge to serve on the influential Southern District of New York. His rise is the kind of immigrant success story that American institutions like to showcase. Born in Pittsburgh in 1979 to Indian immigrant parents, he grew up in a household steeped in discipline, education, and public service.

He studied computer science and English at Case Western Reserve University before pursuing law at Columbia, graduating in 2004 as a James Kent and Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. His early career included clerkships with Gerard Lynch (then of SDNY), Dennis Jacobs of the Second Circuit, and finally the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — an experience that deeply shaped his judicial philosophy.

ON THE BENCH: CALM BUT FIRM

Colleagues and lawyers describe Subramanian as “adaptable yet firm.” He made headlines during the Diddy trial when he privately admonished defense adviser Mark Geragos for what he called an “outrageous” remark about the prosecution team. Yet he is no showman. “This courtroom is about law, not theatrics,” he once quipped — a line that has since become emblematic of his approach.

Subramanian also brings a human side to the bench. He’s an avid karaoke enthusiast, orders his judicial robes online, and is known to occasionally lighten tense moments with humor. “The law is serious,” he told one group of law clerks, “but the people applying it don’t always need to be grim.”

Before his appointment, Subramanian made partner at Susman Godfrey, where he represented clients ranging from corporate giants to underdog plaintiffs. His work helped recover more than $1 billion in cases of fraud and exploitation. He also handled pro bono matters, reinforcing his belief that the law must serve everyone, regardless of power.

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