Turkish Coalition of America on Twitter Turkish Coalition of America on Facebook Turkish Coalition of America on YouTube
Turkish Coalition of America
  • Amerika Turk Koalisyonu

First Turkish American United States District Judge

Halil Suleyman
Halil Suleyman

Judge Ozerden is a second generation Turkish American, son of a prominent psychologist in Gulfport, MS. After graduating from Gulfport High School in 1985, at the top of his class, Judge Ozerden attended Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service on a Navy ROTC scholarship, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1989.  He then served six years active duty as a commissioned officer and naval flight officer in the U.S. Navy, where he achieved the rank of lieutenant as an A-6E Intruder bombardier/navigator.  He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for missions flown over Iraq during Operation Southern Watch and Somalia during Operation Restore Hope.

Returning from military duty, Judge Ozerden earned his law degree from Stanford Law School, where he served as associate editor for the Stanford Law Review.  Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Eldon Fallon, U.S. District Court Judge in New Orleans, before returning home to Gulfport to work at one of Gulf Coast's most respected law firms.

Judge Ozerden has also been a dedicated community leader and volunteer which resulted in his selection as one of the Top Ten South Mississippi Business Leaders Under 40 (2004). His past and continuing community/civic activities include: Graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce (2003); Chair-Elect of the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce (2005); Executive Committee/Vice President of Public Affairs, Gulfport Chamber (2000-2003); Volunteer of the Year Award for 2003, Gulfport Chamber; Vice President of the Gulfport Business Club (2004-2005); Vestry Member, St. Peter's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church (2002-2004); Member of the Rotary Club of Gulfport (since 1999); Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Gulfport; Mentor, Gulfport Public Schools (since 1999); and Eagle Scout, Boy Scout Troop 209, Gulfport, Mississippi.

  • Post this article to Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Print this page
  • Home
  • About US
  • Support TCA
  • Contact
  • Internships
    • TCA Washington Summer Internship Program
    • Previous Programs
  • Youth Congress
    • 2019 Youth Congress Application
    • 2018 Youth Congress
    • 2017 Youth Congress
    • 2016 Youth Congress
    • 2015 Youth Congress
    • 2014 Youth Congress
    • Turkish-Canadian Youth Congress
  • Turkish American Women’s Leadership Initiative
  • Grants
    • Turkey Study Tour Grants
    • Academic Grants
    • Public Awareness / Grassroots Grants
    • Heritage Grants
    • Humanitarian Grants
  • Issues & Information
    • U.S.-Turkey Relations
    • PKK Terrorism
    • Turkey and Europe
    • Armenian Issue
    • Cyprus Issue
    • Turkish History
    • Turkish Minorities Abroad
    • TCA Issue Papers
    • Reading Lists and General Resources on Turkey
  • Turkish American Community
    • Turkish American Appointed Officials
    • Turkish Americans Elected to Political Office
    • Elected Officials with Turkish Heritage
    • Turkish American Organizations
    • Turkish American Publications and Broadcasts
    • Turkish American Online Services
    • Prominent Turkish Americans
    • Turk Evleri
  • U.S. Congress
  • The Turkey Caucus
  • Outreach to Heritage Communities
    • African American Outreach
    • Native American Outreach
    • Hispanic American Outreach
  • Scholarships
    • Study Abroad Scholarships for American Students of Minority and Heritage Communities
    • Scholarships by Other Organizations
    • Previous TCA Programs
  • News & Events
    • News and Events
    • TCA Issue Papers
    • TCA Newsletters
  • Media
    • TCA in the News
    • Posters and Advertisements
    • Submit a Media Request
  • TAKE ACTION
  • LEGAL RIGHTS
  • CULTURE
Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Donate
  • Support the Turkish Coalition of America by Shopping at AmazonSmile
  • Turkish Coalition of America on YouTube
Turkish Coalition of America
Amerika Turk Koalisyonu
  • Boston
    P.O. Box 611
    Bedford, MA 01730
    Phone: 978.318.0047
    Fax: 978.318.0037
  •  
     
     
  •  
     
     
  • Copyright © 2023 Turkish Coalition of America. All rights reserved.
    Site Map