Krishnan sworn in as U.S. magistrate judge for Northern District

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has selected Ajay S. Krishnan to serve as a U.S. magistrate judge, effective this month, following the retirement of Chief Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu.

Krishnan was sworn in last week. Pictured above from left, Steven P. Ragland, John W. Keker, Robert A. VanNest Jr., Krishna, Laurie C. Mims and Elliot R. Peters. All of Keker Van Nest & Peters LLP.

In the second photo, Krishna is sworn in by Chief Judge Richard Seeborg of the Northern District.

Krishnan joins the bench after a 20-year litigation career at Keker Van Nest & Peters, including 15 years as a partner. He tried more than a dozen cases and handled complex commercial, intellectual property, civil rights, securities, and class action matters in federal and state courts.

"Ajay represents the very best of our firm--an exceptional lawyer with impeccable judgment, intellectual rigor, and a deep commitment to justice," Mims, the firm's managing partner, said in a statement.

Krishnan previously worked at the ACLU of Northern California, clerked for 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Marsha Berzon. He graduated from Harvard Law School.