New York, Aug 4 (PTI) Indian-origin attorney Mathura Sridharan has been appointed as Ohio's 12th Solicitor General, making her the state's chief appellate lawyer in both state and federal courts.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Sridharan's selection following Elliot Gaiser's departure, as he was chosen by former President Donald Trump to lead the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel.
"Mathura is a steadfast advocate for Ohioans, a proponent of federalism, and a formidable legal presence in any courtroom," Yost stated. "Her exceptional legal acumen and deep understanding of constitutional law make her the ideal candidate to head the team as Ohio’s Solicitor General."
The Office of the Solicitor General, which is part of the Attorney General’s Office, represents Ohio and its agencies in appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Ohio Supreme Court, and other state and federal courts.
"It's an honor and privilege to champion the rights and freedoms of my fellow Ohioans," Sridharan remarked. "I am deeply appreciative of the faith Attorney General Yost has placed in me to uphold our constitutional principles, advance the rule of law, and defend our federalist system of governance."
Despite her appointment, Sridharan faced online backlash, with several users posting racist comments, criticizing her for wearing a bindi. Some users questioned her selection, stating she should not hold the position.
"The only thing 'Mathura Sridharan' should be chosen for is a one-way ticket to India," read one online comment. Another commented, "Why would you select someone who isn't American for such an important role?"
Some users even mocked her by referencing the bindi she wears, demonstrating a lack of understanding and acceptance of cultural symbols.
Despite this criticism, Sridharan’s record speaks for itself. Since joining the office nearly four years ago, she has handled numerous appeals. In 2023, Yost appointed her director of Ohio’s Tenth Amendment Centre, tasked with defending against unlawful federal policies and preserving the separation of powers.
Before her tenure at the Attorney General’s Office, Sridharan clerked for Judge Steven J. Menashi of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and Judge Deborah A. Batts of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. She obtained her law degree in 2018 from New York University School of Law and also holds dual degrees in electrical engineering and computer science, as well as economics, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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