--- title: "David J. Sims | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-j-sims-wv-circuit-brooke" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # David J. Sims West Virginia Circuit Court, Brooke County · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Circuit Court, Brooke 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. ## Biography ### Professional career - In October 2026, Sims announced he will retire on December 31, 2026, after nearly 18 years as a county commissioner and nearly 14 years as a circuit judge. - Retired circuit judge of the First Judicial Circuit (Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio Counties) in West Virginia, serving until the end of 2026, after more than three decades in public service. - Appointed to the First Judicial Circuit bench in 2012 by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to replace retired Judge Arthur M. Recht - focusing on real estate and litigation Ohio County Commissioner (1995–2012) Former assistant prosecutor in Ohio County - Earlier career experience includes owner of Sims Law Offices in Wheeling, 1987-2012, with a focus on real estate and litigation; ohio County Commissioner, 1995-2012 - Ohio County commissioner in 1995–2012 and owned Sims Law Offices in Wheeling in 1987–2012, with a focus on real estate and litigation - His term as circuit judge covers Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio Counties, and he held the role of the presiding judge for Ohio County’s circuit court ### Education - B.A. in History, Georgetown University (1983) J.D., West Virginia University College of Law (1987) - Bachelor's degree, History from Georgetown University in 1983 ### Additional information - He was elected in 2014 and re‐elected in 2016 and 2024. - Appointed in 2012, he was elected in 2014 and reelected in 2016 and 2024. - Early Career: Owner of Sims Law Offices in Wheeling (1987–2012) - Born in Bedford, Ohio in 1961, he graduated from The Linsly School in 1979, obtained a Georgetown University history degree in 1983 and a West Virginia University law degree in 1987. - Birth year: 1961 - He has submitted his retirement letter to the Governor’s office and plans to apply for senior status to continue serving on the bench under more flexible terms. - He also intends to travel, spend time with his grandson, volunteer, and remain active in the community. - David J. Sims serves in West Virginia’s First Judicial Circuit, covering Brooke, Hancock and Ohio counties. - He is a member of the West Virginia Judicial Association. ## 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/davidSims) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/davidSims) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/davidSims) - [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 Brooke County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/brooke_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary Hancock County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/hancock_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary Ohio County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/ohio_county) - [Judge David J. Sims](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/davidSims) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-j-sims-wv-circuit-brooke", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-j-sims-wv-circuit-brooke", "name": "David J. Sims | KnowJudges", "description": "David J. Sims, West Virginia Circuit Court, Brooke County. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-j-sims-wv-circuit-brooke#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-j-sims-wv-circuit-brooke#judge", "name": "David J. 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Sims", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-j-sims-wv-circuit-brooke" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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.