- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Conservative Lawyer Harmeet Dhillon Lands Top DOJ Role
Dhillon's promotion to a high-ranking Justice Department position has Washington insiders bracing for her conservative agenda.
Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:55am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Harmeet Dhillon, a conservative lawyer known for her pro-bono work on civil liberties and religious freedom cases, is set to take on a top role at the Department of Justice. Dhillon's appointment has surprised many in Washington, as her conservative views and past work with the ACLU have put her at odds with the Democratic administration.
Why it matters
Dhillon's promotion to a senior DOJ position signals a shift in the department's priorities, as the administration seeks to balance its liberal agenda with more conservative voices. Her track record of challenging liberal policies could lead to significant changes in how the DOJ approaches issues like civil rights, abortion, and religious freedom.
The details
Dhillon, who was born in India and raised in a conservative Sikh family, has built a reputation as a staunch conservative lawyer. After a decade at major law firms, she opened her own practice in 2006 that focused on taking on cases related to civil liberties, anti-abortion, and religious freedom causes. Dhillon's work has sometimes put her at odds with the ACLU, where she briefly served on the board of the Northern California chapter, often finding herself in the minority on policy debates.
- Dhillon moved to San Francisco in 2000 to pursue a job with a Silicon Valley firm during the dot-com boom.
- Dhillon opened her own law firm, the Dhillon Law Group, in 2006.
- Dhillon served a two-year term on the board of the ACLU of Northern California, resigning in 2008.
The players
Harmeet Dhillon
A conservative lawyer known for her pro-bono work on civil liberties and religious freedom cases. She is set to take on a top role at the Department of Justice.
What they’re saying
“The writing was on the wall. Even to this day, I don't think 'big law' has changed or is ever going to change. It kind of goes with the fads of what's popular in liberal culture.”
— Harmeet Dhillon
“It's really just abandoned nuance … and gone just ideologically left without any principle.”
— Harmeet Dhillon
What’s next
Dhillon's appointment to the senior DOJ role is expected to be officially announced in the coming weeks, setting the stage for a potentially contentious confirmation process as the administration seeks to balance its liberal agenda with more conservative voices.
The takeaway
Dhillon's promotion to a high-ranking position at the Department of Justice signals a significant shift in the department's priorities, as the administration seeks to incorporate more conservative viewpoints on issues like civil rights, abortion, and religious freedom. Her track record of challenging liberal policies could lead to major changes in how the DOJ approaches these sensitive and politically charged topics.
