On Wednesday, May 18, Jacqueline Romero, President Joe Biden’s nominee to be the new U.S. Attorney overseeing the Eastern District of Pennsylvania got major support from the Philly community to be confirmed to her potential new post.

In a letter sent to President Joe Biden and Pennsylvania U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey, the Hispanic National Bar Association joined 18 Philly organizations and law leaders to support Romero’s nomination and a “speedy Senate confirmation process.”

“In addition to being the first woman nominated to lead the office, Ms. Romero will be the first Hispanic and LGTBQ leader to serve as the U.S. Attorney in the EDPA,” reads part of the letter.

The organizations to sign on include the following: the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania, CEIBA, the Delaware Hispanic Bar Association, Esperanza, the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC), the Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterprises (HACE), the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania, the South Asian Bar Association of Philadelphia, Taller Puertorriqueño, The Barrister’s Association of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association, and The Public Interest Law Center. 

The individuals were Gaetan J. Alfano, Esquire, former Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, Deborah R. Gross, CEO of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts and former Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, Judge Frederica Messiah-Jackson, and Zane David Memeger, who held the U.S. Attorney spot at the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before the appointment of Bill McSwain.

Romero is now in line to succeed McSwain, who just wrapped up an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign.

Beyond recognizing the history that will come for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania office with the confirmation of Romero, the letter also pointed to her work over the last 16 years as an assistant U.S. attorney at the office. In that role, she was the civil rights coordinator at the office, handling cases that dealt with everything from illegal opioid prescriptions and healthcare fraud, to the Americans with Disabilities Act, voting rights, and housing rights, to name just a few.

“Ms. Romero has taken her position as a role model and public servant seriously, and has been there for so many in need,” reads the letter.

It also listed Romero’s long resume of organizational affiliations outside of working for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania office. They include once leading the Pennsylvania Hispanic Bar Association, and being a longtime member of the Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association and the Philadelphia Bar Association. She’s also taught courses at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, shaping the next generation of lawyers in the city.

“Ms. Romero is a leader with experience, integrity, character and acute legal acumen as well as a diverse candidate. These qualities make her well-suited to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,” the letter ends.