---
title: "Christopher McCarthy | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-mccarthy-wv-circuit-harrison"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Christopher McCarthy

West Virginia Circuit Court, Harrison County · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: West Virginia Circuit Court, Harrison County
- State: West Virginia
- Role: Circuit Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-27

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## 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/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/christopherMcCarthey)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/christopherMcCarthey)
- [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/christopherMcCarthey)
- [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)
- [West Virginia Judiciary Harrison County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/harrison_county)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Legislative Counsel to the NYS Insurance Department (1998–2000) and NYS Banking Department (1995–1998)
- Private practice at Brown & Wood in New York (1985–1995)
- Christopher J. McCarthy is a judge of the New York State Court of Claims in Albany County, with over two decades of judicial service

### Education

- Columbia Law School — J.D. (1985)
- in Political Science, Harvard University — B.A. (1982)

### Additional information

- Service length: 21 years on the bench as of 2026
- Appointments: First appointed by Governor George Pataki in 2006 Reappointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2014 for a term ending in 2022
- Senior Assistant Counsel to Governor George Pataki (2000–2006)
- Case focus: Primarily civil cases, including administrative matters and claims against state agencies
- lists McCarthy with AV Preeminent® peer recognition, the highest rating for legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards.
- Court records show 13 published decisions over 13 years, with no public discipline determinations.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7bfc4ba5831cb3f30a5d65ca) — 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](https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/wv-trial-court-rules-contents). Collected 2026-07-27.