Brian Cochran at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- West Virginia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Brian Cochran
Circuit Court Judge · West Virginia Circuit Court, Mercer County
Brian Cochran — West Virginia Circuit Court, Mercer County
Biography
Professional career
- Brian Keith Cochran is identified as a Mercer County circuit judge appointed January 13, 2026 to replace retiring Judge William J. Sadler
- In January 2026, Governor Patrick Morrisey appointed Cochran to the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Mercer County, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge William J. Sadler
- In 2020, he became the Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney
- Earlier roles include state police trooper, private-practice associate, Bluefield city attorney and Mercer County prosecuting attorney beginning in 2020
- This extensive experience provided him with a strong foundation in criminal justice and public safety
- His appointment and election reflect his extensive courtroom experience and commitment to justice
Education
- He later earned his Juris Doctor from the Appalachian School of Law and was admitted to the West Virginia State Bar in 2007.
- Grafton High School graduation in 1987, criminal justice and liberal arts studies at Fairmont State College, Marshall University and Glenville State College, a JD from Appalachian School of Law, and West Virginia bar admission in 2007.
Additional information
- He graduated from Grafton High School in 1987 and pursued higher education across multiple institutions, earning degrees in criminal justice and liberal arts from Fairmont State College, Marshall University, and Glenville State College.
- Cochran transitioned into law after his law degree, working as an associate attorney in the private sector and serving as city attorney for Bluefield, West Virginia.
- representing individuals, businesses, municipalities, and governmental entities across West Virginia.
- Before entering the legal profession, Cochran spent over 16 years in law enforcement, serving as a city police officer, deputy sheriff, and West Virginia State Trooper.
- Subsequently sworn in as a Circuit Court Judge and later won the Mercer County Circuit Court election outright, defeating Family Court Judge Adam Wolfe in the May primary.
- Brian Keith Cochran is a lifelong West Virginian, born and raised in Grafton, West Virginia.
- Cochran maintains strong ties to his hometown of Grafton, often visiting family and expressing pride in his West Virginian roots.
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings
West Virginia Circuit Court, Mercer County
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-27Sources
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
West Virginia Judiciary Mercer County directory
Identity/Contact/Assignment source · HTML · Source checked October 4, 2026
View West Virginia Judiciary Mercer County directory ↗www.wvbarassociation.org
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View www.wvbarassociation.org ↗