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Carson City
– Governor Jim Gibbons today appointed two experienced Las Vegas
attorneys to fill two vacancies in the Clark County bench.
Michael Villani and David Barker will serve, respectively, as
state district court judges in Departments 17 and 18 of Nevada’s
Eighth Judicial District Court. The district court positions
were vacated by Judges Michael Cherry and Nancy Saitta when they
were invested as justices of the Nevada Supreme Court.
“A district court judgeship is one of the most important
appointments a governor can make, and its impact can last for
decades. David Barker and Michael Villani are experienced
attorneys with significant courtroom experience. I have the
highest confidence that, as judges, they will be a credit to the
bench and the legal profession as a whole, providing fair
treatment to anyone who may appear in their courtrooms,”
said Governor Gibbons.
Michael Villani practices family law, civil litigation and
criminal defense and owns his own practice, Michael P. Villani &
Associates. He has lived in Nevada for 46 years and has
practiced law since 1982, when he earned his law degree from
California Western School of Law. In addition to his civil and
courtroom experience, Villani has been a certified arbitrator
since 1993 and served as Justice of the Peace pro tem from
1994-1998.
“I was honored to receive the
governor’s consideration and selection,” said Villani.
“I look forward to maintaining the same high standards that
Judge Cherry was known for. The legal profession has been very
good to me and my family, and I look forward to continuing to
give something back to that profession. I will work hard and
will try to render the best decisions possible.”
David Barker currently serves as Chief Deputy District Attorney
in the Clark County District Attorney’s office, where he leads
the criminal trial team. He came to Nevada to begin his law
practice after he earned his law degree from Pepperdine
University in 1984. His practice consists entirely of criminal
prosecution, and he has handled many significant cases,
including capital murder cases.
“I am honored to be chosen for this
important position in our legal system. For 22 years, I’ve
dedicated myself to public service as deputy district attorney,
and I am absolutely committed to serving the cause of justice
and the people of Clark County as judge,” said Barker.
Governor Gibbons made his selection from a pool of judicial
candidates nominated by Nevada’s Judicial Selection Commission.
Judges Villani and Barker will serve until the next general
election, in November 2008, when they must run for election to
their posts.
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