Michael E. Fondi

Michael E. Fondi was a retired judge of the First Judicial District Court of Nevada who devoted his career to public service in his home state. Born April 4, 1937, in Ely, Nevada, he was the son of Clara Orueta Fondi, a Spanish Basque immigrant, and Mike Fondi, whose parents were Italian immigrants. He was proud of his heritage and of his roots in White Pine County. He completed his undergraduate studies at Stanford University and earned his law degree at Hastings College of the Law before returning to Nevada to begin his legal career.

Admitted to the Nevada bar on December 4, 1964, Judge Fondi built a distinguished career in Carson City. He began by working for Governor Grant Sawyer and also served in the Attorney General's Office and as Carson City District Attorney. He was appointed to the bench and served in Department 2 of the First Judicial District Court in Carson City from 1977 until his retirement in 2000, capping decades of service to the courts and the people of northern Nevada.

Known as an idealist who valued involvement, civic participation, and the right to vote, Judge Fondi was active in a number of professional organizations throughout his career. He was remembered as a devoted Nevadan whose strength, tenacity, and commitment left a lasting mark on those who knew him and on the legal community he served. Judge Fondi died January 22, 2016, in Carson City.