CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission (JVAC) has released the names of the applicants who are seeking to fill seats on the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals, which was created by the passage of SB 275 during the 2021 Legislative Session codified at WV Code §51-11.
The following individuals have applied, according to Governor Jim Justice’s office:
- John Balenovich, a Charleston attorney
- S. Benjamin Bryant, a Charleston attorney
- Jim Douglas, a Family Court Judge in Kanawha County
- Robert J. Frank, an attorney in Lewisburg
- Daniel W. Greear, a lawyer, who Gov. Justice appointed as a Kanawha County Circuit Judge in 2018
- Edward Ryan Kennedy, an attorney, and former Clarksburg Mayor
- Joseph L. Ludovici, an attorney in Chester, WV
- Donald A. Nickerson Jr., an attorney with Spillman Thomas & Battle, in Wheeling
- Howard R. Nolen, an attorney in Boone County
- Ronald Reece, an attorney in Preston County
- Jenna L. Robey, a Bridgeport attorney
- Deanna Ray Rock, a Family Court Judge in Hampshire, Mineral and Morgan counties
- James J. Rowe, a former circuit court judge from Lewisburg
- Thomas E. Scarr, an attorney with Jenkins Fenstermaker in Huntington
- Mychal Sommer Schulz, an attorney with Babst Calland in Charleston
- Debra Scudiere, a former circuit court judge in Monongalia County
- Martin P. Sheehan, an attorney from Wheeling, who formerly ran for the WV Supreme Court of Appeals
- Mark A. Sorsaia, the current Prosecuting Attorney for Putnam County
- William J. Stevens, an attorney in Lincoln County
- Christine B. Stump, a Lewisburg attorney
- Charles Darren Tallman, a Family Court Judge in Pleasants and Wood counties
- Harry C. Taylor, II, a Charleston attorney
- Gregory Alan Tucker, a Summersville lawyer and former state senator
- Crystal L. Walden, the director of West Virginia’s Appellate Advocacy Division
- Keith Bryant Walker, a Charleston attorney
Interviews with the candidates will be conducted by the JVAC in the coming weeks, according to a news release.
Gov. Justice will appoint three judges for terms of:
– Two-and-one-half years, concluding on Dec. 31, 2024
– Four-and-one-half years, concluding on Dec. 31, 2026
– Six-and-one-half years, concluding on Dec. 31, 2028.
The Intermediate Court of Appeals judges will assume their duties by July 1, 2022.
