--- title: "Matthew Thorn | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-thorn-wv-family-monongalia" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Matthew Thorn West Virginia Family Court, Monongalia County · Family Court Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Family Court, Monongalia 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 - Before joining the judiciary, Thorn was a partner at Sal Sellaro Culpepper Legal Group, PLLC since 2009 - Judge Matthew T. Thorn is the elected judge for West Virginia’s Twentieth Family Court Circuit (Monongalia and Preston Counties), taking office January 1, 2025, and serving until May 2032. - Earlier career experience includes worked in the pharmaceutical industry before graduate/legal studies; partner, Sal Sellaro Culpepper Legal Group, PLLC, beginning 2009. - His law school externship was with the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office ### Education - M.Ed. from West Virginia University in 2007 - Bachelor's degree, Political Science from West Virginia University in 1998 ### Additional information - Elected to the Twentieth Family Court Circuit in May 2024 and took office January 1, 2025. - Elected in May 2024 and began his term on January 1, 2025. - He worked in the pharmaceutical industry before completing a Master’s in Education (2007) and a J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan (2009). - Born in Morgantown, WV, Thorn obtained a B.A. in Political Science from West Virginia University in 1998. - Practice included personal injury, wrongful death, family law, real estate and municipal prosecution. - Also vice president and president of the Monongalia County Bar Association. - handling personal injury, wrongful death, family law, real estate, and serving as prosecuting attorney for Morgantown Municipal Court, Westover City Court, and the Town of Star City. - He presides over family law cases in Monongalia and Preston Counties, including divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders, and other family matters. - His official contact is listed at 101 West Main Street, Kingwood, WV 26357, with the West Virginia Judiciary’s Family Court portal. - Thorn served 15 years in the U.S. Army Reserves Military Police Corps, including overseas tours in Germany, Egypt, Panama, and El Salvador. - He is a former rugby player and coach at multiple levels, including WVU men’s and women’s rugby. - He lives in Morgantown with his wife and three children. ## 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/matthewThorn) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/family-judges/matthewThorn) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/family-judges/matthewThorn) - [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 Monongalia County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/monongalia_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary Preston County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/preston_county) - [Judge Matthew T. Thorn](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/family-judges/matthewThorn) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-thorn-wv-family-monongalia", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-thorn-wv-family-monongalia", "name": "Matthew Thorn | KnowJudges", "description": "Matthew Thorn, West Virginia Family Court, Monongalia County. 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