Gov. Patrick Morrisey has selected Charleston attorney Gerald Titus III to fill a state Supreme Court vacancy.
Titus focuses on corporate litigation, strategic acquisitions, environmental and regulatory issues, commercial trucking and other areas of law at the Spilman Thomas firm.
“I am committed to the rule of law in applying the law as it is written. I believe it’s critical that the court remain impartial and ensure fairness for all parties,” Titus said in his introduction today.
Morrisey’s appointment fills a vacancy that occurred after the death of Justice Tim Armstead. For the time being, former Justice John Hutchison has been serving on the bench.
Armstead passed away on August 26 after a fight with cancer. Armstead won election to a 12-year term in 2020, so the remainder of the term on the seat is until 2032.
“I’ve been given a solemn duty, an opportunity to name his replacement on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals,” Morrisey said.
The appointee serves until the next general election, at which point he can run to fill the remainder of the unexpired term. Titus said he intends to run.
This is the second Supreme Court vacancy to occur over the past several months. Thomas Ewing, who had been a circuit judge in Fayette County, was selected to take over a term from Justice Beth Walker, who retired.
“I never thought I’d have two picks for the Supreme Court in the same year,” Morrisey said earlier today.
The finalists recommended to fill this seat by the Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission were Eric Hudnall, Steven Redding, Robert E. Ryan and Gerald Titus.
Eric Hudnall is a current staff attorney at the state Supreme Court and has experience with the state Department of Transportation.
Steven Redding has served as a circuit judge serving on the bench for Berkeley and Morgan counties since 2018.
Robert Ryan, who goes by the nickname “Booter,” is a former circuit judge for the district that includes Grant, Mineral and Tucker counties. He is now serving as prosecuting attorney in Hardy County.
They were advanced from a list of a dozen original applicants.
“I think we had a lot of wonderful candidates, and some who I knew, some I knew pretty well, but I will tell you that he just has a real breadth of experience,” Morrisey said of Titus.
“I mean, the other candidates who are very highly qualified, made it very difficult for me through this process.”
The current justices of the Supreme Court welcomed Titus.
“On behalf of the Court, I would like to welcome and congratulate Gerald Titus III on his appointment to become the newest justice on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia,” said Chief Justice Bill Wooton.