At the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s 25th annual dinner, Michel announced his plan to retired from the bench effective May 2010. Michel has been on the circuit for 21 years and Chief Judge since 2004. Lawyers interviewed for the Almanac of the Federal Judiciary said the following about Judge Michel: "He is fantastic. I think anybody would be ecstatic to have him on their panel. He is thoughtful." "He is diplomatic. He is political with a small p. He is charismatic." "He is tough, but fair. He does not suffer fools. He will be intolerant of a lack of candor. If he treats a lawyer badly, it is often because the lawyer is not being candid." "There are judges who decide the facts of a case. Then there are judges who like to write more broadly and decide the tenets of the law. Then there is Michel. He is in the middle."