Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Charleston · A court of last resort in West Virginia.
The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is the highest court in West Virginia. Its justices are chosen by nonpartisan election. This page lists every justice to serve on the court, current and former, with when they joined the bench and whom they succeeded.
Current bench verified against the court’s official roster, 2026-07-02.
Current justices
Former justices
| Justice | Years |
|---|---|
| Allen H. Loughry II | 2013 |
| Menis E. Ketchum II | 2009 |
| Brent D. Benjamin | 2005 |
| Warren R. McGraw | 1999–2004 |
| George M. Scott | 1999–2000 |
| John F. McCuskey | 1998–1998 |
| Elliott E. Maynard | 1997–2008 |
| Larry Starcher | 1997–2008 |
| Robin J. Davis | 1996 |
| Joseph P. Albright | 1995–1996 |
| Arthur M. Recht | 1995–1996 |
| Franklin Cleckley | 1994–1996 |
| Margaret L. Workman | 1989–1999 |
| W. T. Brotherton Jr. | 1985–1995 |
| Thomas E. McHugh | 1981–2012 |
| Sam R. Harshbarger | 1977–1984 |
| Darrell V. McGraw Jr. | 1977–1988 |
| Thomas B. Miller | 1977–1994 |
| Donald R. Wilson | 1976–1976 |
| Edwin F. Flowers | 1975–1976 |
| Richard Forlani Neely | 1973–1995 |
| James Marshall Sprouse | 1973–1975 |
| Charles Harold Haden II | 1972–1975 |
| Oliver D. Kessel | 1972–1972 |
| John E. Carrigan | 1971–1972 |
| Fred H. Caplan | 1962–1980 |
| Thornton G. Berry Jr. | 1958–1976 |
| Harlan M. Calhoun | 1958–1972 |
| Henry L. Ducker | 1957–1958 |
| Chauncey Browning | 1952–1971 |
| Leslie E. Given | 1950–1962 |
| Frank C. Haymond | 1945–1972 |
| William T. Lovins | 1941–1957 |
| Fred L. Fox | 1937–1952 |
| James B. Riley | 1937–1958 |
| Jo N. Kenna | 1933–1950 |
How a justice reaches this court. Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 12-year terms. Switched from partisan to nonpartisan elections in 2016. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any justice to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.
Source: Current roster: West Virginia Judiciary — Justices & Staff and CourtListener / Free Law Project (bulk data); selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data as of 2026-07-02 (official roster); historical bench 2026-03-31 (CourtListener bulk snapshot). Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).