Pomponio appointed to 11th Circuit post

CHARLESTON -- Gov. Joe Manchin on Tuesday appointed Joseph C. Pomponio Jr. to fill the vacancy in West Virginia's 11th Judicial Circuit left by the retirement of Judge Frank E. Jolliffe.

"I know Judge Pomponio will serve the residents of Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties with dignity and fairness," Manchin said in a press statement. "I'm pleased to appoint someone of his caliber to this important position."

Pomponio, who lives in Lewisburg, has been a family court judge in Greenbrier and Monroe counties since 1994. He was admitted to the West Virginia Bar in 1988 and was a child advocate attorney in Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties from 1992 to 1994.

"I want to thank the governor and thank him for his confidence in me," Pomponio said. "I will do my best to continue to serve the people of the state of West Virginia."

Pomponio received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Florida Atlantic University and his law degree from the Nova University School of Law in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He served in the U.S. Army for four years and was a captain for Eastern Airlines, flying Boeing 727s and McDonnell Douglas DC-9s.

West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Robin Jean Davis congratulated Pomponio. As a former domestic relations attorney, Davis practiced before Pomponio when he was a family law master.

"I've known him for years," Davis said. "I look forward to a continued good working relationship. He's fair, and he has a great legal mind."

Pomponio will be sworn in by Davis during a ceremony for all judges appointed by Manchin at 10 a.m. Feb. 21 in the Supreme Court of Appeals chamber.

Supreme Court Administrator Steve Canterbury said Pomponio will participate in a training session for new circuit judges Feb. 19 to 21 at the Capitol in Charleston.

"Judge Pomponio is an experienced family court judge who will be an asset to the circuit court bench," Canterbury said.

Manchin now must name a replacement for Pomponio on the family court bench.