William R. Wooton at a glance
- Current role
- Justice
- Jurisdiction
- West Virginia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
William R. Wooton
Biography
Professional career
- “Bill” Wooton is an American attorney, politician, and judge, best known as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and Chief Justice in 2025
- He assumed the role of Chief Justice for the 2025 term
- Private practice in Beckley: Wooton, Wooton & Fragile (1977–1994), The Wooton Law Firm (1994–2014), Wooton & Wooton, Attorneys at Law (2014–2020)
- Clerk to Fourth Circuit Judge John A. Field Jr. 1971–1972; assistant WV attorney general 1972–1974; assistant Raleigh prosecutor 1974–1977
- Law clerk to Hon. John A. Field Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (1971–1972)
Education
- J.D. – West Virginia University College of Law, Order of the Coif, editor-in-chief of the West Virginia Law Review, graduated at the top of his class.
Additional information
- Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia since January 1, 2021, elected in a nonpartisan June 9, 2020, runoff.
- Elected June 9, 2020; sworn December 30, 2020 for a 12-year Supreme Court term beginning January 1, 2021.
- WV House 1977–1986, 1989–1990, 2009–2010, majority leader 1985–1986
- Senate 1991–2002, judiciary chair ten years.
- Born September 20, 1944, in Beckley, West Virginia, Wooton is married to Shir and has three adult sons and five grandchildren.
- William R.
- More than 30 years Army Reserve/WV Army National Guard, retired colonel.
- Over 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and West Virginia Army National Guard, retired as Colonel.
- No graduation years or exact degree abbreviations given.
- “Bill” Wooton, native of Raleigh County, obtained a bachelor’s in business management from Marshall University and a law degree from WVU College of Law; editor-in-chief of WV Law Review, Order of the Coif, top of class.
- He is a permanent member of the Judicial Conference of the Fourth Circuit and a West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellow.
- Direct official source also documents Rotary, chamber, Little League coaching, Fourth Circuit judicial conference and WV Bar Foundation fellow.
- He has been active in the Beckley Rotary Club, Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, and as a Little League coach.
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 ↗
Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
West Virginia Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 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 ↗