CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – Members of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia today issued the following statements after Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Judge Thomas H. Ewing of Fayette County to fill the vacancy left by Justice Beth Walker, who retired in June.
“Judge Ewing is a respected member of the judicial branch who has sat by temporary assignment on our Court multiple times, and we congratulate him on this appointment to become the newest justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia,” said Chief Justice William R. “Bill” Wooton. “Justice Walker leaves behind a legacy of promoting civility and camaraderie among the members of the judiciary, and we know this will continue with Justice Ewing joining our Court. In the coming weeks, the Court and our staff will work to help ensure a smooth transition for Justice Ewing into his new role as our Court prepares to begin its fall term in September.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Judge Ewing to the Supreme Court,” said Justice C. Haley Bunn. “He has been an excellent circuit court judge in Fayette County who has also been involved in his local Family Treatment Court, Teen Court and the Truancy Diversion Program – all experiences that will be invaluable on our Court. When I was appointed to the Court in 2022, each of the justices went above and beyond to welcome me, walk me through the transition process and bring me up to speed on our docket before arguments began, and I look forward to doing the same to help welcome Justice Ewing to the Supreme Court.”
“I want to congratulate Judge Ewing on his appointment to the Supreme Court and look forward to working with him full-time as a Supreme Court justice,” said Justice Tim Armstead. “During my time on the Court, all of my colleagues have gotten along well and worked cooperatively, and I know that will continue as we welcome Justice Ewing to the Court. When he has served previously on temporary assignment on our Court, he always took the role very seriously and was always well-prepared. I know that work ethic will carry over as he joins our Court as a justice.”
Biographical Information on Judge Thomas H. Ewing:
Thomas H. Ewing took office as a circuit judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit (Fayette County) on Jan. 2, 2019, after being appointed by Gov. Jim Justice on Dec. 7, 2018. He was elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2024.
Judge Ewing, a native of Fayette County, grew up in Hico and graduated from Midland Trail High School. He has bachelor’s degrees in education (2000) and history (2001) from Glenville State College and a law degree (2004) from West Virginia University, where he was Order of the Coif and executive research editor and associate editor of the West Virginia Law Review. At Glenville State, he graduated summa cum laude and was a four-year member and captain of the men’s basketball team.
Judge Ewing was an attorney with the law firm of Kay, Casto & Chaney, PLLC, from 2004 until his appointment to the bench in 2018 and was the managing member of its Fayetteville office from 2015 to 2018.
As circuit judge, Judge Ewing presides over the Fayette County Adult Treatment Court and started and presides over the Fayette County Family Treatment Court, the Fayette County Teen Court, and the Fayette County Truancy Diversion Program. Judge Ewing has served as a commissioner on West Virginia’s Juvenile Justice Commission since 2019. He was recently recognized as a 2025 West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellow and as a 2025 Champion of Children by Just for Kids, Inc.
He is a current member of the West Virginia Judicial Association Executive Committee (Treasurer) and is active in the association’s Education and Law Clerk Education Committees. Prior to and during his time as judge, he has coached youth sports. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Midland Trail Community Center, Inc., and attends Grace Baptist Church in Fayetteville, W. Va.
He is married to Mindy Ewing, and they have four children and two grandchildren.
