Michael Paul Mills (born August 25, 1956) is an American lawyer and jurist serving as a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi.

Michael P. Mills
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi
Assumed office
November 1, 2021
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi
In office
2007–2014
Preceded byGlen H. Davidson
Succeeded bySharion Aycock
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi
In office
October 16, 2001 – November 1, 2021
Appointed byGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byNeal Brooks Biggers Jr.
Succeeded byvacant
Associate Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court
In office
1995–2001
Preceded byArmis E. Hawkins
Succeeded byGeorge C. Carlson Jr.
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives
In office
1984–1995
Personal details
Born
Michael Paul Mills

(1956-08-25) August 25, 1956 (age 68)
Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
SpouseMona Mills
EducationItawamba Community College (AA)
University of Mississippi (BA, JD)
University of Virginia (LLM)

Early life and education

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Mills was born on August 25, 1956, in Charleston, South Carolina.[1] He received an Associate of Arts from Itawamba Community College in 1976, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi in 1978, a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1980, and a Master of Laws from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2001.[1]

Career

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From 1980 to 1995 he engaged in the private practice of law in Mississippi. He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1984 to 1995, and served as a justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court from 1995 to 2001.[1]

In addition to his work as a lawyer and judge, Mills published a collection of short stories titled Twice Told Tombigbee Tales.[2]

Federal judicial service

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On September 4, 2001, Mills was nominated by President George W. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi vacated by Judge Neal Brooks Biggers Jr..[3] Mills was confirmed by the United States Senate in a 98–0 vote on October 11, 2001,[4] and received his commission on October 16, 2001. He became chief judge in 2007, and served in that capacity until 2014, when he was succeeded by Sharion Aycock.[5] Mills suffered a heart attack in January 2018, but recovered and was able to continue serving.[6] He assumed senior status on November 1, 2021.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c United States Congress Senate Committee on the Judiciary (2002). Confirmation Hearings on Federal Appointments: Hearings Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 400.
  2. ^ "The Mississippi Bar :: Bar Recognizes Judge Michael P. Mills for Judicial Excellence". www.msbar.org. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  3. ^ Judiciary, United States Congress Senate Committee on the (2002). Confirmation Hearings on Federal Appointments: Hearings Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  4. ^ "PN900 — Michael P. Mills — The Judiciary". October 11, 2001. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  5. ^ Michael P. Mills at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  6. ^ "Federal judge in Mississippi recovering from heart attack". Associated Press. January 13, 2018.
  7. ^ Michael P. Mills at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
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