Van T. Willis was appointed part-time Magistrate Judge for the New Albany Division on May 15, 2015.  He also continues his practice of law as senior partner with the firm of Kightlinger & Gray, LLP.  His primary areas of practice are civil rights, corporate and business law, employment, insurance defense litigation, trademark and copyright infringement, and worker's compensation.  From 1989 to 1991, Judge Willis served as law clerk to United States District Judge Gene E. Brooks.

Judge Willis attended University of Kentucky for both his undergraduate and law degrees.  Judge Willis was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1988 and is also admitted to practice before the Indiana Bar; the United States District Courts for the Southern District of Indiana, Western District of Kentucky and Eastern District of Kentucky; and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.