---
title: "James R. McGarry | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-r-mcgarry-va-henry-circuit-court"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# James R. McGarry

Henry Circuit Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Henry Circuit Court
- State: Virginia
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## 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

### cell phones and electronic devices

Scope: 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.

Evidence excerpt: 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](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Official roster](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia official judicial roster](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-r-mcgarry-va-henry-circuit-court",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-r-mcgarry-va-henry-circuit-court",
      "name": "James R. McGarry | KnowJudges",
      "description": "James R. McGarry, Henry Circuit Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-07-26",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-r-mcgarry-va-henry-circuit-court#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-r-mcgarry-va-henry-circuit-court#judge",
      "name": "James R. McGarry",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-r-mcgarry-va-henry-circuit-court",
      "jobTitle": "Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Henry Circuit Court"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Virginia",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/virginia"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "James R. McGarry",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-r-mcgarry-va-henry-circuit-court"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge of the 21st Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia, serving the City of Martinsville, Henry, and Patrick Counties, elected by the Virginia General Assembly in 2022
- Appointed to the circuit bench in May 2022 by the Virginia General Assembly to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge David Williams
- Before this, he held the role of a judge in the 21st Judicial District Court in Virginia starting in 2019.
- Earlier in his career, he was a partner at Young, Haskins, Mann, Gregory & Wall, P.C. in Martinsville
- One of three judges on the circuit, alongside Chief Judge Marcus A. Brinks and Presiding Judge Stephanie B. Vipperman
- At his swearing-in, retired Circuit Court Judge Martin Clark praised McGarry’s “skill, experience, and talents” and noted his track record in “big civil cases, big criminal cases”

### Education

- Washington and Lee University School of Law — J.D. (1993)
- Louisiana State University Raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana — B.A.

### Additional information

- Retired Judge David Williams expressed pride in McGarry taking over his long-standing role.
- McGarry presides over the 21st Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia, which covers the City of Martinsville and Henry and Patrick Counties.
- The court handles both civil and criminal cases, with terms beginning in January, April, July, and October.