James Harry Michael Jr.

James Harry Michael Jr. (October 17, 1918 – August 29, 2005) was a United States federal judge.

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

Michael was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. Michael was nominated by President Jimmy Carter on April 9, 1980, 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 on September 30, 1980. He assumed senior status on October 31, 1995. Michael served in that capacity until his death, in Charlottesville, Virginia. 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.