--- title: "Thomas J. Howard | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-j-howard-wv-magistrate-ohio" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Thomas J. Howard West Virginia Magistrate Court, Ohio County · Magistrate ## Profile - Court: West Virginia Magistrate Court, Ohio County - State: West Virginia - Role: Magistrate - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-27 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Clerked for Judge Ronald Lee Gilman (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit) and Judge Karen Gren Scholer (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas) ### Education - University of Virginia, with High Distinction — B.A. (2013) ### Additional information - WTRF’s January 26, 2024 article identifies Ohio County Sheriff Tom Howard announcing candidacy for magistrate Division 4 as his sheriff term limit approached. - A December 23, 2024 WTOV result describes four Ohio County magistrates, among them former sheriff Tom Howard, being sworn in. - It details more than 33 years of public service, a family raised in Ohio County, and a father who was among the early West Virginia magistrates following the 1976 system change. - Legal professional with a documented career in litigation and judicial service, recognized for his work in complex civil matters and appellate advocacy. - Judicial Service – Serves as a judge, with expertise in complex civil litigation and appellate cases. - Legal Expertise – Specializes in areas such as antitrust, RICO, fraud, commercial contract disputes, employment law, attorney malpractice, and First Amendment issues. - Achieved notable case outcomes, such as securing dismissal of all claims in a derivative securities fraud suit and winning an appeal in an attorney malpractice case. - All Keadle birth, education, state-police, law-practice, judicial-service and family facts are excluded from Howard’s profile. - No direct education or exact employment chronology was obtained. - Career Contributions – Has handled cases at both trial and appellate levels, with experience in pre-suit investigations, complaint drafting, motion practice, trials, and appeals. - In summary: Judge Thomas J. Howard is a legal professional with a strong background in complex civil litigation and appellate law, with a record of significant case outcomes and a distinguished academic and judicial career. - Practiced in diverse industries including real estate, hospitality, and higher education. - Direct identity and career evidence. - The official Ohio County magistrate roster names Magistrate Thomas J. Howard. - The father’s appointment date is not Howard’s. - The official roster refutes that absence claim. ## 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/ohio_county) - [Official roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/ohio_county) - [West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/ohio_county) - [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 Ohio County directory](https://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/court-information-county/ohio_county) - [www.courtswv.gov](https://www.courtswv.gov/node/32731) - [www.wtrf.com](https://www.wtrf.com/top-stories/sheriff-tom-howard-announces-candidacy-for-ohio-county-magistrate/) - [wtov9.com](https://wtov9.com/news/local/four-magistrates-sworn-in-ohio-county-including-former-sheriff-tom-howard) - [www.theintelligencer.net](https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2024/04/tom-howard-wants-to-continue-serving-public-as-magistrate/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-j-howard-wv-magistrate-ohio", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-j-howard-wv-magistrate-ohio", "name": "Thomas J. 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