--- title: "Jim Douglas | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jim-douglas-wv-family-kanawha" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Jim Douglas West Virginia Family Court, Kanawha County · Family Court Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Family Court, Kanawha County - State: West Virginia - Role: Family Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Running for Division 2 judge of the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals, with the general election scheduled for May 12, 2026 - held the role of Braxton County prosecuting attorney — 1985–1988 and has been involved in legal education, teaching over 30 Family Law CLEs in West Virginia, Colorado, and California - Earlier career experience includes solo practitioner, 1977 until election to the Family Court bench, specializing in divorce and family law; braxton County Prosecuting Attorney, 1985-1988 ### Education - West Virginia University College of Law — J.D. (1977) - master’s degree in German history and literature — West Virginia University 1975 - magna cum laude, — Morris Harvey College (now University of Charleston) — B.A. (1973) ### Additional information - Re-elected in 2024 - Elected to the Eleventh Family Court Circuit, Kanawha County, in 2016 - He has three children, including an ENT physician, an assistant U.S. attorney, and a paralegal - Douglas stresses experience, fairness, and adherence to the law - He emphasizes his extensive experience in family law, arguing that the Intermediate Court of Appeals handles a significant number of family-law cases and that judges with practical experience in this area are essential - Douglas advocates for applying the law consistently, protecting children’s safety, and ensuring that court orders reflect existing legal requirements, such as vaccination compliance in parenting plans - He has argued more than 40 cases before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and litigated in 44 of West Virginia’s 55 counties - As a Family Court Judge, he handles domestic relations matters, including divorce, child custody, and support, emphasizing fairness, accountability, and the protection of children - He believes that judges should apply the law impartially, without personal bias, and that family law expertise is critical for cases affecting children and families - He resides in Charleston, West Virginia, with his long-term partner - Jim Douglas was born in Sutton, West Virginia, and raised in Charleston, Ohio, and Ivydale, Clay County - Douglas is a member of the American Bar Association Family Law Section and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - He has also held the role of a faculty member for the Lawyer Education Institute in Colorado and is a judicially inactive member of the Colorado Bar - His hobbies include skiing, scuba diving, boating, walking his dog, and following the New England Patriots - President of the Student Bar 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/family-judges/jimDouglas) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/family-judges/jimDouglas) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/family-judges/jimDouglas) - [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 Kanawha County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/kanawha_county) - [Judge Jim Douglas](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/family-judges/jimDouglas) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jim-douglas-wv-family-kanawha", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jim-douglas-wv-family-kanawha", "name": "Jim Douglas | KnowJudges", "description": "Jim Douglas, West Virginia Family Court, Kanawha County. 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