A new judge for the Twelfth Family Court begins service

PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) — A new judge for the Twelfth Family Court in McDowell and Mercer counties started his post on September 4, 2024 after being sworn in.

Adam B. Wolfe was appointed by Governor Jim Justice on August 14, 2024 to finish out the term of the previous judge following their resignation on July 12. After that term is completed on December 31, Mr. Wolfe will begin an eight-year term on January 1, 2025.

In terms of education, he holds a bachelor’s degree in social work that he attained from Concord University in 2003, as well as a degree in law earned in 2013 from the Appalachian School of Law.

Prior to his selection as the new Family Court judge, he practiced law in Southern West Virginia, recently as a public defender. Mr. Wolfe also practiced consumer law at Mountain State Justice. In addition, he has experience as an assistant prosecuting attorney and owned his own law firm and served as a circuit court law clerk.

Mr. Wolfe has served Concord University as a past president and board member of the Concord University Alumni Association, where he received the association’s Young Alumnus Award in 2014. He is a member of the board of the Planet X-treme Teen Center, as well as a member and director of the Rotary Club of Princeton.

A public investiture ceremony will take place on October 24, 2024 at 4 p.m. in the courtroom of Ninth Judicial Circuit Judge Ryan Flanigan located in the Mercer County Courthouse. The date holds significance for Mr. Wolfe: not only is it the eleventh anniversary that he was admitted to practice law, it is also the birthday of his father. The oath of office will be done by Supreme Court Justice John Hutchinson.

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