INDIANAPOLIS (AP) –  A New Albany attorney has been selected to serve as part-time federal magistrate judge for Indiana's Southern District.

U.S. District Judge Richard Young appointed Van Willis to fill the vacancy of Judge Michael Naville, who died in September after serving the court for nearly a decade. Willis' appointment will become official following a background check.

As magistrate judge, Willis will preside over preliminary criminal proceedings in the New Albany division of the Southern District. He will also continue to practice law as a senior partner with a firm he has worked with since 1991. Willis has a vast range of litigation experience that includes work with civil rights, employment and corporate law cases.