--- title: "H.L. Kirkpatrick | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/h-l-kirkpatrick-wv-supreme-court-of-appeals" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # H.L. Kirkpatrick Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia · Justice ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia - State: West Virginia - Role: Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Harry Louis “Kirk” Kirkpatrick III is a justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, elected in May 2026 to serve out the unexpired term of the late Justice Tim Armstead, and sworn in on June 12, 2026 - In 1995, Governor Gaston Caperton appointed him Circuit Judge for the Tenth Judicial District in Raleigh County, a role he held for nearly 29 years, re-elected in 2000, 2008, and 2016 - Appointed Raleigh County circuit judge September 28, 1995, he was re-elected four times - Began practice with Bailey, Worrell and Viers in Pineville in 1976, operated Kirkpatrick Law Offices from 1979 to 1985, then joined Ashworth and Ashworth, later Ashworth and Kirkpatrick ### Education - B.A. in history from the University of Kentucky and a J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law. - Bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Kentucky and a law degree from West Virginia University. ### Additional information - H.L. Kirkpatrick won election to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia on May 12, 2026, to fill the unexpired term of Tim Armstead, and sworn in June 12, 2026. - The State Bar recognized fifty years of legal service in 2026. - Retired December 31, 2024, and received senior status January 1, 2025. - He held the role of chief judge from 2016 to 2024. - Began his legal career in 1976 in Pineville, Wyoming County, later running his own law office and joining the Beckley firm Ashworth and Ashworth. - Born in Beckley, West Virginia in 1951, Kirkpatrick grew up in Fayette and Raleigh Counties. - He is a Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference member emeritus and West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellow, chaired the southern Fatality Review Team for ten years and served on the Judicial Investigation Commission for sixteen years. - Raised in Fayette and Raleigh counties, he attended Nuttall High School and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. ## 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-kirkpatrick) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/h-l-kirkpatrick-wv-supreme-court-of-appeals", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/h-l-kirkpatrick-wv-supreme-court-of-appeals", "name": "H.L. 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