DISTRICT COURT DEPARTMENT 17

The race to be District Court Judge for Department 17 has pitted District Judge Michael Villani against local attorney Bruce L. Gale.

Villani, 51, was appointed to the bench in 2007 by Gov. Jim Gibbons to fill a vacancy left by Judge Michael Cherry.

"I'm running on my record and experience," Villani said, pointing out the efficiency in which he conducts his court.

Through the first half of 2008 Villani said he has held the second highest number of trials in the Eighth Judicial District Court. In 2007 his court had the highest closure for civil cases and the second highest number of overflow trials, which are trials taken from other backlogged departments, Villani said.

Villani earned an 81 percent retention rating from those lawyers who rated him in the Review-Journal's 2008 Judicial Performance Evaluation survey.

"I enjoy being part of the process of resolving civil disputes," he said.

Villani has handled some high- profile cases including the dispute over the huge U.S. flag flying at the Towbin car dealership on Sahara Avenue. "All cases are important whether the press covers them or not," he said.

Villani was a prosecutor until he left the Clark County district attorney's office in 1988 for private practice. He also has served as an alternate municipal court judge, justice of the peace pro tem, and small claims court referee.

Villani said he has raised close to $200,000 for his campaign.

Villani, who received his law degree in 1982 from California Western School of Law, has gained endorsements from law enforcement agencies throughout Clark County.

Gale, 53, received his law degree in 1987 from the University of San Diego. He lost in a bid to be a District Court judge in 2006.

He did not return calls for this article.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904.