MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Monongalia County Circuit Court Judge Phillip Gaujot has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31.
State lawmakers added a third judgeship to the 17th judicial circuit in 2009 that covers Monongalia County. Gaujot was appointed to fill the new seat by then-Gov. Joe Manchin. He was elected to the seat in 2012 and reelected in 2016.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve the Monongalia County Bar and the citizens of Monongalia County and the state of West Virginia as Judge of the Circuit Court for the 17th Judicial Circuit for the last 13-plus years” Gaujot said in a statement released Wednesday by the state Supreme Court. “I hope and pray that my legacy is, that as judge, I maintained the public’s trust, faithfully discharged my solemn obligation to equal justice under the law, was fair to all, and ruled according to the facts and law in every case that came before me and did so without fear or favor.
Judge Gaujot and his wife, Carol, have two children and three grandchildren.
“After December 31, 2022, I hope to spend more time with my family, especially my grandchildren: Katya, a freshman at WVU; Arden, a freshman at Southern Garrett High School in Oakland, Maryland; and Asa, a student at Mountain Laurel Learning Center in Thomas, W.Va.,” Judge Gaujot said. “However, with that being said, I fully understand that they may not care to spend more time with an old man.”
Gov. Jim Justice will choose Gaujot’s replacement.