Alumnus Amandeep Sidhu named to National Law Journal's Minority Top 40 Under 40

The National Law Journal has named Amandeep Sidhu, L’05, to its 2011 Minority Top 40 Under 40 List. Sidhu, who began working at McDermott Will & Emery in Washington, D.C., in 2007, has built a reputation as a strong litigator with a commitment to pro bono work.

As a founding member of the Sikh Coalition, which advocates for Sikhs whose human or civil rights are violated, he has represented three Sikh men who were barred from the Army because their turbans and unshaved beards did not meet its uniformity requirements.

"Based on the fact that Sikhs serve in a number of nations around the world and are able to meet all the uniformity and safety requirements ultimately proves that any Sikh candidate would be able to meet the Army's requirements," Sidhu told the National Law Journal.
Sidhu was able to successful demonstrate the men were able to meet requirements by using Army-issued cloth for turbans and demonstrating that their beards did not affect their performance in the field.

“Thanks … for providing the foundation at University of Richmond that has allowed me to grow as an attorney in the 6+ years since I graduated,” he said. “I am forever grateful for all of the opportunities and support I have had (and continue to receive) from my UR Law family.”