Judge Michael Villani speaks to a youth about getting his life on track after having him sit through a calendar to see where criminal activity leads.
Judge Villani speaks to an organization.
Judge Michael Villani, who is the tallest judge on the bench, got to be in the front of the photo for once.
Judge Michael Villani with his application to the Commission on Judicial Selection.

After serving more than 15  years on the District Court bench, Judge Michael P. Villani is retiring. Judge Villani was appointed to the Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada in April 2007.  In his letter of resignation Judge Villani said, “I have been honored to serve the citizens of the State of Nevada for the last 15 years. Words cannot express my appreciation for having had the opportunity to be a member of the judiciary.”

“We appreciate Judge Villani’s service on the District Court bench, for more than 15 years, and his commitment to ensuring that justice was served,” said District Court Chief Judge Jerry Wiese. “His career is marked with impressive accomplishments and we hope he can enjoy time with his family as he steps back from the rigors of a heavy civil/criminal District Court docket.”

Following receiving his law degree from the California Western School of Law, Judge Villani served as a Deputy District Attorney. He also worked in private practice handling both civil and criminal cases. He served as an alternate Municipal Court judge, justice of the peace pro tem, small claims court judge and certified court arbitrator. He was on the Fee Dispute Committee and Disciplinary Board for the State Bar of Nevada.

Judge Villani has been a group facilitator/leader for the National Judicial College general jurisdiction course for new judges and for advanced ethics for judges and advanced search and seizure law. Judge Villani served on the District Court Executive Committee. He has been on the homicide team and served as the criminal presiding judge. He has also been involved with programs to help students stay on the right side of the law. In a question and answer session with students, Judge Villani shared that he preferred a young man who snatched a purse get help, rather than just punishment. He noted that what many of the defendants have in common, is they don’t finish school and they get involved with drugs. Judge Villani said, “If you don’t finish high school, it’s hard to get a job.” He also advised the students that they will probably face peer pressure to do drugs. He warned of the downward spiral that results and is common to many who are convicted of crimes and end up in prison.

Judge Villani is an avid tennis player and has been involved in the Physicians and Barristers Ball Charity Tennis Classic Tournament, that helps keep kids stay on the court and out of court. He has been involved in various assignments and activities to promote access to justice, including the Civil Jury Project panel in Las Vegas that was part of nationwide study to address why jury trials are on the decline.

Judge Villani said that serving as a judge was, “the greatest job I ever had.” He expressed pride in completing the second highest number of trial from 2007 to the present. His retirement is effective July 14 of this year. He plans to spend more time with his family, to play more tennis and continue doing legal work.