--- title: "Leigh M. Lefler | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/leigh-m-lefler-wv-family-raleigh" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Leigh M. Lefler West Virginia Family Court, Raleigh County · Family Court Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Family Court, Raleigh 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 - The appointed judge of the Thirteenth Family Court Circuit in West Virginia, serving Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming counties since April 28, 2023. - Earlier career experience includes practicing attorney since 2003; raleigh County Assistant Prosecutor at the time of judicial appointment - Legal Career: Practicing law since 2003 Former Raleigh County Assistant Prosecutor - Governor Jim Justice appointed Judge Lefler to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Louise Goldston ### Education - Bachelor's degree, Communications from Shepherd University - West Virginia University College of Law — J.D. ### Additional information - Sworn in on April 28, 2023. - Previously served as guardian ad litem. - As a Family Court judge, she presides over cases involving family law matters in her circuit, including custody, support, and other family-related disputes. - Appointed to the Thirteenth Family Court Circuit to fill the vacancy created by Judge Louise Goldston's retirement. - Judge Lefler resides in Beckley, West Virginia, and has served on the Beckley Performing Arts Board of Directors. - handling abuse and neglect cases held the role of guardian ad litem and on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia’s Advisory Committee for Family Treatment Courts Participated in the Raleigh County Juvenile Drug Court and helped develop the Raleigh County Family Treatment Court Longtime member of the Raleigh County Public Defender Office board - She is also active in community legal initiatives, including the Family Treatment Court program. - Former member of the Supreme Court of Appeals Advisory Committee for Family Treatment Courts. ## 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/leighLefler) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/family-judges/leighLefler) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/family-judges/leighLefler) - [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 Raleigh County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/raleigh_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary Summers County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/summers_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary Wyoming County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/wyoming_county) - [Judge Leigh M. Lefler](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/family-judges/leighLefler) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/leigh-m-lefler-wv-family-raleigh", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/leigh-m-lefler-wv-family-raleigh", "name": "Leigh M. Lefler | KnowJudges", "description": "Leigh M. Lefler, West Virginia Family Court, Raleigh County. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/leigh-m-lefler-wv-family-raleigh#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/leigh-m-lefler-wv-family-raleigh#judge", "name": "Leigh M. 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