Elizabeth A. McClanahan at a glance
- Current role
- Former Judge
- Current assignment
- Supreme Court of Virginia
- Jurisdiction
- Virginia · State
- Judicial service
- Former
Elizabeth A. McClanahan
Former Judge · Supreme Court of Virginia
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Supreme Court of Virginia, 2011-present
- Following this, she was sworn in as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia on September 1, 2011, serving until her retirement on September 1, 2019
- Before her judicial appointments, McClanahan also held significant legal roles, including Chief Deputy Attorney General of Virginia and partner at the law firm Penn, Stuart & Eskridge.
Education
- College of William and Mary — B.A.
- University of Dayton — J.D.
- University of Dayton School of Law
Additional information
- During her judicial career, she was honored as one of the "Influential Women of Virginia" in 2011 for her contributions to the legal field.
- Elizabeth Ann McClanahan was appointed to the Virginia Court of Appeals in 2003, where she served for eight years until 2011, earning recognition for her fair and thoughtful rulings.
- Judge, 2010-2010
- Date of birth: 1959-09-01
- The fourth female to be elected to the court.
- After retiring from the Supreme Court, she continued her professional contributions as President and Dean of the Appalachian School of Law and later as CEO of the Virginia Tech Foundation, while also serving as a mediator for legal disputes.
- Her judicial experience spans a wide range of legal areas, reflecting her expertise and leadership in Virginia’s legal system.
- Birth place: Buchanan County
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Cell Phones And Electronic Devices
Statewide
Virginia courts commonly restrict cell phones and other electronic devices in court buildings; counsel and litigants should check the local court policy before arrival.
Most courts in Virginia do not allow you to bring a cell phone or other electronic device into the building.Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy ↗
Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Supreme Court of Virginia current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Supreme Court of Virginia current judicial profile ↗Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy ↗