--- title: "Ryan J. Flanigan | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-j-flanigan-wv-circuit-mercer" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Ryan J. Flanigan West Virginia Circuit Court, Mercer County · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Circuit Court, Mercer 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 - Appointment: Sworn in August 16, 2024, by Governor Jim Justice to complete a term ending December 31, 2024 - Attorney, The Flanigan Law Office, beginning 2015, practicing civil and criminal litigation - Attorney, Sanders, Austin, Flanigan & Flanigan, Mercer County, beginning 2009 - Law Degree: West Virginia University College of Law, 2002; associate editor of the West Virginia Law Review - Well‐established West Virginia attorney with a long litigation career, now serving as a circuit judge in Mercer County - Earlier career experience includes attorney, Robinson & McElwee, Charleston, focused on civil litigation; attorney, Bailey & Wyant, Charleston, focused on civil litigation ### Education - West Virginia University College of Law — J.D. (2002) - master's degrees, Political Science — Marshall University ### Additional information - In August 2026, Judge Flanigan was a respondent in State of West Virginia ex rel - His background includes legal education, diverse litigation experience, and active community engagement, and he has been involved in significant appellate matters in 2026 - Appointed to complete the prior term and sworn in August 16, 2024, in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit - Election: Elected May 2024 to an eight‐year term - Career Before the Bench: Robinson & McElwee (Charleston) — civil litigation Bailey & Wyant (Charleston) — civil litigation Sanders, Austin, Flanigan & Flanigan (Mercer County, 2009) — civil/criminal litigation The Flanigan Law Office (2015) — civil/criminal litigation Litigated in state and federal courts; argued before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals - Bachelor's - CALI Award in post‐conviction remedies - H.C., P.C., M.C., Z.C. and West Virginia Department of Human Services v - The case concerned post‐adjudicatory improvement periods for parents in a child welfare matter - The Supreme Court issued a writ of mandamus directing the circuit court to make sufficient factual findings and legal conclusions before granting such periods - Office: Mercer County Courthouse, 1501 Main Street, Suite 200, Princeton, WV 24740 - Active in Mercer County and southern West Virginia organizations focused on community support ## 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/ryanFlanigan) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/ryanFlanigan) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/ryanFlanigan) - [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 Mercer County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/mercer_county) - [Judge Ryan J. Flanigan](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/circuit-judges/ryanFlanigan) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-j-flanigan-wv-circuit-mercer", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-j-flanigan-wv-circuit-mercer", "name": "Ryan J. Flanigan | KnowJudges", "description": "Ryan J. Flanigan, West Virginia Circuit Court, Mercer 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/ryan-j-flanigan-wv-circuit-mercer#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-j-flanigan-wv-circuit-mercer#judge", "name": "Ryan J. 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Flanigan", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-j-flanigan-wv-circuit-mercer" } ] } ] } ``` ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7bfc4ba5831cb3f30a5d65ca) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/wv-trial-court-rules-contents). Collected 2026-07-27.