William Joseph Nardini

William Joseph Nardini (born 1969) is an American attorney who serves as a United States circuit judge on the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Appointed by President Donald J. Trump in 2019, Judge Nardini has been an active member of the federal judiciary since receiving his commission later that year. His career spans academic distinction, high‑level clerkships, service in the Department of Justice both domestically and abroad, and a decade‑long tenure as a federal prosecutor in Connecticut.

Early life and legal career

Born in 1969, Nardini pursued an undergraduate education at Georgetown University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts. He continued his studies at Yale Law School, earning a Juris Doctor while serving as Executive Editor of the Yale Law Journal, a role that placed him among the senior editorial staff responsible for overseeing the publication’s scholarly content. Following law school, Nardini expanded his legal expertise internationally by obtaining a Master of Laws in European, Comparative, and International Law from the European University Institute in Fiesole, Italy, completing the degree in 1998.

After completing his formal education, Nardini entered the federal judiciary as a law clerk. He first clerked for Judge José A. Cabranes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1994 to 1995. The following year he served a second appellate clerkship with Judge Guido Calabresi, also of the Second Circuit. These consecutive clerkships provided Nardini with extensive exposure to appellate jurisprudence and the inner workings of federal courts. He then spent a year clerking for Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor of the United States Supreme Court from 1996 to 1997, gaining experience at the nation’s highest judicial forum.

Following his clerkship tenure, Nardini applied his academic training in European law by working as a consultant for the Italian Constitutional Court. This role involved advising on matters of constitutional interpretation within Italy’s legal system and further deepened his comparative law perspective.

In 2000, Nardini returned to the United States to join the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA). Over a ten‑year period he prosecuted a broad range of criminal matters, advancing through the office to become Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division. His responsibilities included overseeing complex prosecutions, managing junior attorneys, and contributing to policy development within the division.

From 2010 to 2014, Nardini was detailed to the Department of Justice as an attaché attached to the United States Ambassador to Italy. In this diplomatic capacity he represented U.S. interests in extradition proceedings and mutual legal assistance matters involving Italian criminal law, acting as a liaison between the two nations’ law‑enforcement agencies.

After completing his overseas assignment, Nardini resumed service as an AUSA in Connecticut in 2014. He was appointed Chief of the Criminal Division, a position he held until his elevation to the federal bench in 2019. As chief, he directed the division’s overall strategy, supervised high‑profile cases, and coordinated with federal investigative partners.

Federal appellate service

President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate Nardini to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on August 28, 2019. The nomination was formally transmitted to the Senate on September 19, 2019, filling the vacancy created when Judge Christopher F. Droney assumed senior status on June 30, 2019.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Nardini’s nomination on September 25, 2019. Following deliberations, the committee reported his candidacy favorably to the full Senate on October 24, 2019, with a vote of 19–3. The Senate subsequently invoked cloture on the nomination on November 6, 2019, by an 87–3 vote, limiting further debate. On the following day, November 7, 2019, the Senate confirmed Nardini by an 86–2 vote. He received his judicial commission on November 14, 2019 and has served as an active circuit judge since that time.

In his capacity as a Second Circuit judge, Nardini participates in panels that review appeals from federal district courts within New York, Connecticut, and Vermont, as well as certain administrative agency decisions. His docket includes civil, criminal, and constitutional matters, reflecting the broad jurisdiction of the circuit. The Second Circuit is noted for its influential opinions on securities law, antitrust, and intellectual property, among other areas; Judge Nardini contributes to this body of precedent through his written opinions and oral arguments.

Jurisprudence and legacy

Since joining the bench, Judge Nardini has authored and joined opinions that address a variety of legal issues. One publicly reported decision from October 10, 2024 involved the denial of a request by recording artist Sean Combs for immediate release pending appeal on bond; the ruling was issued by the Second Circuit panel on which Judge Nardini sat. While details of the opinion’s reasoning are not elaborated here, the case illustrates his involvement in high‑profile criminal matters that intersect with procedural and bail considerations.

Judge Nardini’s professional background—particularly his extensive experience as a federal prosecutor and his leadership of a major criminal division—provides him with practical insight into criminal law and procedure. This perspective informs his contributions to appellate review of criminal convictions, sentencing determinations, and procedural challenges. Additionally, his earlier work in international legal contexts, including consultancy for the Italian Constitutional Court and service as a DOJ attaché, equips him with comparative law awareness that can be relevant when interpreting treaties or cross‑border legal issues.

Within the Second Circuit, Judge Nardini collaborates with fellow judges to shape the development of federal jurisprudence across the circuit’s jurisdiction. His participation in en banc hearings—sessions where all active judges of the circuit consider particularly significant cases—further underscores his role in resolving complex legal questions that may have nationwide implications.

Although still early in his appellate tenure, Judge Nardini’s record reflects a continuation of the professional trajectory common among federal appellate judges: distinguished academic achievement, clerkships at both appellate and Supreme Court levels, substantive experience within the Department of Justice, and eventual appointment to the federal bench. His ongoing service contributes to the stability and continuity of the United States judicial system, ensuring that appeals are adjudicated by individuals with a comprehensive understanding of both legal theory and practical enforcement.

As an active member of the Second Circuit, Judge Nardini remains engaged in the administration of justice through opinion writing, oral argument participation, and mentorship of law clerks. His career to date exemplifies the blend of scholarly preparation and governmental service that characterizes many federal judges, positioning him as a continuing influence on the interpretation and application of federal law within his circuit.