--- title: "James W. Flanigan | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-w-flanigan-wv-supreme-court-of-appeals" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # James W. Flanigan 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 - “Bill” Flanigan is a justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, elected in May 2026 to serve until the end of 2028 - Sworn in on June 11, 2026 by Justice Charles S. Trump IV, taking the unexpired term originally held by Justice Elizabeth D - James William “Bill” Flanigan as a West Virginia Supreme Court justice following the May 2026 special election, taking office in June 2026 - Nonpartisan judge on the state’s highest appellate court ### Education ### Additional information - His term runs through December 31, 2028. - Beyond law, Flanigan has coached youth sports (basketball, softball, soccer) and collegiate rugby, leading Wheeling University’s women’s rugby team to a 2024 Division I National Championship. - He graduated from Liberty High School in 1991, obtained a BA in Japanese Studies from Salem-Teikyo University (1996), a MA in Asian Pacific Studies from the University of San Francisco (1999), and a JD from West Virginia University College of Law (2006). - James W. - “Beth” Walker, who retired the previous year. - It details civil, criminal, family, municipal and appellate practice, work at Oracle and Palo Alto Research Center, higher-education administration, construction work and legislative service. - Flanigan is a native of Harrison County, WV, raised on a family farm in Marshville. - Before law, he worked in Silicon Valley for Oracle and the Palo Alto Research Center, then in higher education administration and construction business. - It also reports youth-sports and collegiate-rugby coaching. - He has volunteered with organizations such as the Circus Saints and Sinners, Wheeling Rotary, and the West Virginia Association for Justice. - Flanigan is married to Dr. Melissa Flanigan and has three children. - He and his family reside in Marshall County, West Virginia. - In his own words, Flanigan has said he is “grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of West Virginia” and looks forward to working with colleagues to uphold the Rule of Law. ## 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) - [courtswv.gov](https://courtswv.gov/appellate-courts/supreme-court-of-appeals/justices-staff/justice-flanigan) - [ballotpedia.org](https://ballotpedia.org/Bill_Flanigan) - [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Flanigan) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-w-flanigan-wv-supreme-court-of-appeals", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-w-flanigan-wv-supreme-court-of-appeals", "name": "James W. 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