James Harry Michael Jr.

For persons of a similar name, see James Michael (disambiguation).

James Harry Michael Jr.
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
In office October 31, 1995 – August 29, 2005
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
In office September 30, 1980 – October 31, 1995
Appointed by	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Seat established by 92 Stat. 1629
Succeeded by	James Parker Jones
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 25th district
In office January 12, 1972 – September 30, 1980
Succeeded by	Tom Michie
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 22nd district
In office January 10, 1968 – January 12, 1972
Preceded by	Edward O. McCue Jr.
Succeeded by	David F. Thornton
Personal details
Born	James Harry Michael Jr. (1918-10-17)October 17, 1918 Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
Died	August 29, 2005(2005-08-29) (aged 86) Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of Virginia (BS, LLB)

James Harry Michael Jr. (October 17, 1918 – August 29, 2005) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia.

Education and career

Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, Michael received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Virginia in 1940 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1942. He was in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant during World War II, from 1942 to 1946. He was in private practice in Charlottesville from 1946 to 1980. He was a United States Naval Reserve Commander from 1948 to 1969. He was a lecturer at the University of Virginia from 1948 to 1953. He was a judge of the Charlottesville Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court from 1954 to 1967. He was a Special Master in Patent Cases for the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia from 1960 to 1970. He was a member of the Virginia Senate from 1968 to 1980. Michael was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1973 but lost to Republican John N. Dalton.

Federal judicial service

Michael was nominated by President Jimmy Carter on April 9, 1980, to the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, to a new seat created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 29, 1980, and received his commission the next day. He assumed senior status on October 31, 1995. Michael served in that capacity until his death on August 29, 2005, in Charlottesville. Michael's papers are held at the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia.

Sources

• James Harry Michael Jr. at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.