Sam Fox at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Judge
- Jurisdiction
- West Virginia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Sam Fox
Circuit Judge · West Virginia Circuit Court, Fayette County
Biography
Professional career
- Earlier career experience includes attorney, Kay Casto & Chaney, 1989-1991; attorney, Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso, PLLC, 1991-2025
- He tried approximately 35 cases to verdict in state and federal courts and was recognized as Lawyer of the Year in Health Care Law in Charleston (2022) and consistently listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers
- Native of Oak Hill, West Virginia, and the first Oak Hill native to serve as a Fayette County Circuit Court judge in over a century
- His practice focused on health care law, defending hospitals, physicians, and health-care professionals in complex medical malpractice and licensure cases
Education
- West Virginia University College of Law — J.D. (1989)
- Bachelor's degree, Education and Government — West Virginia Wesleyan College 1986
Additional information
- Appointed by Governor Patrick Morrisey on November 12, 2025, to the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Fayette County, filling the vacancy left by Thomas H. Ewing, who joined the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, and was sworn in on December 4, 2025
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2017-2025, medical malpractice defense and health care law
- Super Lawyers, 2017-2025
- Since his appointment, Judge Fox has handled a wide range of cases, including abuse and neglect, criminal matters, and significant felony trials such as drug distribution cases
- He presides over the Fayette County Family Treatment Court and Adult Treatment Court, emphasizing rehabilitation alongside justice
- He emphasizes balancing accountability with opportunities for rehabilitation, particularly through his work in treatment courts
- His extensive prior experience appearing before over 100 judges and arguing cases before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals provides a strong foundation for his judicial role
- During college, he captained the tennis team and was a conference tournament finalist, and in law school, he held the role of class president, participated in the Moot Court Board, and worked in the clinic program
- In addition to his judicial duties, Judge Fox serves on the Board of Trustees of West Virginia Wesleyan College, teaches Business Law and Sports Law at the University of Charleston, and is actively involved in community service, including youth athletics, scholarship foundations, and church ministries
- He and his wife, Christine H. Fox, are members of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Oak Hill and have two adult children
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Camera And Audio Equipment
Statewide
West Virginia Trial Court Rule 8 makes courtroom camera and audio equipment subject to the presiding circuit judge's or magistrate's permission.
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 ↗
Advance Media Request Timing
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings
West Virginia Circuit Court, Fayette County
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-27Sources
Identity source checked July 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster ↗West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View West Virginia Trial Court Rules, Rule 8: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings ↗West Virginia Judiciary Fayette County directory
Identity/Contact/Assignment source · HTML · Source checked October 4, 2026
View West Virginia Judiciary Fayette County directory ↗Judge W.E. Sam Fox II
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View Judge W.E. Sam Fox II ↗