--- title: "Phillip M. Stowers | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/phillip-m-stowers-wv-circuit-putnam" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Phillip M. Stowers West Virginia Circuit Court, Putnam County · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Circuit Court, Putnam County - State: West Virginia - Role: Circuit Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge Phillip M. Stowers is the elected Circuit Court Judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit (Putnam County, West Virginia), serving since 2008 and re‐elected in 2016 and 2024 - Legal career: Associate, Huddleston & Bolen (1986–1989) Private practice, Charleston (1989–1991) Owner, Stowers & Associates Attorneys at Law (1991–2008) Special Assistant to WV Attorney General - Earlier career experience includes associate, Huddleston & Bolen in Huntington; private practice in Charleston beginning 1989 - Served as special assistant to the West Virginia Attorney General and as counsel to the West Virginia State Senate - Chair of the Juvenile Justice Commission and presiding judge of the Putnam County Juvenile Drug Court - Office: Judge, Seventh Judicial Circuit (Putnam County) ### Education - West Virginia University College of Law in — J.D. (1986) - Morehead State University, magna cum laude, 1982 — B.A. in Speech Communication ### Additional information - Judicial service: Circuit Judge, 7th Judicial Circuit (2008–present) Temporary assignments to WV Supreme Court of Appeals when justices recused Chair, Juvenile Justice Commission; presides over Putnam County Juvenile Drug Court and Truancy Triage program - Elected to the Putnam County circuit bench in 2008. - Founded Stowers & Associates in 1991, primarily practicing civil litigation until 2008. - Baker Cup Award for appellate advocacy, West Virginia University College of Law, 1985. - Dual bachelor's degrees in Speech Communication and Business Administration/Economics, magna cum laude from Morehead State University in 1982 - Duval High School, 1978 - Has served by temporary assignment on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. - B.A. in Business Administration (Economics emphasis) - Counsel to WV State Senate - Born: Charleston, WV; raised in Alkol, WV ## 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/circuit-judges/phillipStowers) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/phillipStowers) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/phillipStowers) - [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 Putnam County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/putnam_county) - [Judge Phillip M. Stowers](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/phillipStowers) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/phillip-m-stowers-wv-circuit-putnam", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/phillip-m-stowers-wv-circuit-putnam", "name": "Phillip M. Stowers | KnowJudges", "description": "Phillip M. Stowers, West Virginia Circuit Court, Putnam 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/phillip-m-stowers-wv-circuit-putnam#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/phillip-m-stowers-wv-circuit-putnam#judge", "name": "Phillip M. 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