CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – Justice Gerald M. Titus III will be publicly sworn in to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia during a formal investiture ceremony at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, in the Supreme Court Courtroom at the state Capitol.
Justice Titus was appointed on Nov. 21, 2025, by Gov. Patrick Morrisey to fill the seat vacated by Justice Tim Armstead, who passed away in August. Justice Titus was officially sworn in to office during a private ceremony on Dec. 12 in order to begin work ahead of the Court’s spring term which began this week.
Seating for next week’s formal investiture ceremony will be limited, though media is encouraged to attend. A reception will follow in the lower rotunda of the Capitol.
Justice Titus was born in Morgantown and raised in Spencer. He received a bachelor’s degree in politics and American history (2000) and a law degree (2003) from Washington and Lee University, where he was elected President of the Executive Committee of the Student Body, which administers the University’s student-run Honor System.
As a practicing attorney, he gained experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in civil cases, and as both a prosecutor and defense attorney in criminal cases. He served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of West Virginia in the Violent Crimes Division (2007-2009). He was appointed from 2014-2025 to the United States Criminal Justice Act Panel, which provides legal representation to indigent defendants.
He joined the Charleston firm of Spilman, Thomas & Battle in 2009, where he maintained a general litigation practice, including complex business disputes, commercial transportation claims, eminent domain proceedings, environmental matters, criminal investigations and prosecutions, and dispute resolution.
He was named a West Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star (2015 to 2018) and was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation (2019-2025).
He served on the West Virginia State Bar Board of Governors (2020 to 2024), including leading an initiative to raise awareness of the needs of foster children and caregivers in West Virginia; served as the president of the Judge John A. Field, Jr. Chapter, American Inns of Court (2011-2012); served as president of the Washington and Lee Alumni Association Chapter Board; and was a member of the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia (2018-2025).
At the time of his appointment to the Supreme Court, he was vice president of the Mission West Virginia board of directors.
He and his wife, Meredith have three children and live in Charleston.
