--- title: "C. Haley Bunn | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/c-haley-bunn-wv-supreme-court-of-appeals" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # C. Haley Bunn Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia · Chief Justice ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia - State: West Virginia - Role: Chief Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Chief Justice (2026): Assumed the role January 1, 2026 - The Chief Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, appointed in 2022 and elected in 2024, becoming Chief Justice on January 1, 2026 - Appointed Justice (2022): Governor Jim Justice appointed her to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia on April 6, 2022, succeeding Evan Jenkins - Private Practice (2010–2012, 2019–2022): Worked at Steptoe & Johnson PLLC in Charleston - Assistant U.S. Attorney (2012–2019): Served in the Southern District of West Virginia, prosecuting major drug distribution cases - From 2012 to 2019 she held the role of an Assistant US Attorney in the Southern District of West Virginia Criminal Division, with a focus on major drug distribution cases - Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit (2017): Selected by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat illegal opioid diversion and healthcare fraud - In summary: Justice C. Haley Bunn is a West Virginia native with a background in private law, federal prosecution, and opioid crisis litigation, now leading the state’s highest appellate court as Chief Justice ### Education - WVU College of Law in, graduating Order of the Coif and Order of Barristers — J.D. (2010) ### Additional information - Term Ends: December 31, 2036. - Elected May 14, 2024 to a twelve-year term beginning January 1, 2025. - Elected (2024): Won a 12-year term in the May 14, 2024 general election. - Sworn In: May 12, 2022 — the youngest woman to serve on the court. - Appointed to the West Virginia Supreme Court on April 6, 2022 and took office April 27, 2022. - Practiced civil defense law in Charleston from 2010 to 2012 and from 2019 until her Supreme Court appointment. - In 2017 DOJ selected her as one of twelve prosecutors for the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit. - Raised in Oceana, Wyoming County, she is a 2007 honors graduate of WVU and graduated Order of the Coif and Order of Barristers from WVU College of Law in 2010. - She obtained an honors bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University in 2007 - Bunn was born in Oceana, West Virginia in 1985 or 1986 into a multigenerational coal mining family. - focusing on civil defense litigation. - Notable Work: Prosecuted high-profile public corruption cases in Mingo County, leading to convictions of four elected officials. - Her official biography identifies her as chief justice, an ABA member, a former Bible Center School board member and a volunteer with the Boy Scouts Legal Explorers Program. - Bunn lives in Charleston, West Virginia, with her husband, Joseph Bunn, and their two children. - She is active in her community, volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America’s Legal Explorers Program and serving on the board of Bible Center School. - She is a member of the American Bar Association and attends Bible Center Church. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### camera and audio equipment Scope: statewide West Virginia Trial Court Rule 8 makes courtroom camera and audio equipment subject to the presiding circuit judge's or magistrate's permission. Evidence excerpt: Cameras and audio equipment may be permitted in and around the courtrooms at the discretion of each presiding circuit judge or magistrate. [West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/wv-trial-court-rules-contents) Source checked: 2026-07-27 ### advance media request timing Scope: statewide West Virginia Trial Court Rule 8 directs the presiding officer to decide requests for camera or audio coverage made at least one day before the proceeding, and lack of advance approval may preclude use. Evidence excerpt: Requests made by a party or any other person at least one day in advance of the proceedings. [West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/wv-trial-court-rules-contents) Source checked: 2026-07-27 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtswv.gov/appellate-courts/supreme-court-of-appeals/justices-staff) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/appellate-courts/supreme-court-of-appeals/justices-staff) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/appellate-courts/supreme-court-of-appeals/justices-staff) - [West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/wv-trial-court-rules-contents) - [www.courtswv.gov](https://www.courtswv.gov/appellate-courts/supreme-court-of-appeals/justices-staff/justice-bunn) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/c-haley-bunn-wv-supreme-court-of-appeals", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/c-haley-bunn-wv-supreme-court-of-appeals", "name": "C. 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