New Mercer judge to be sworn in on Jan. 16

CHARLESTON -– Omar J. Aboulhosn will be sworn into office as the third judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Mercer County on Jan. 16 in a courtroom at the Mercer County Courthouse in Princeton.

The oath of office will be delivered by Supreme Court Justice Menis Ketchum.

Gov. Joe Manchin appointed Aboulhosn on Dec. 5. The position was one of three new circuit judge seats created by Senate Bill 291, which passed during the 2008 regular legislative session. Aboulhosn joins Judges Derek Swope and William J. Sadler in the one-county circuit.

The swearing-in is ceremonial. Aboulhosn began work Jan. 1.

"It is an honor for me and my family that the Governor has chosen me for this position," he said of his appointment. "I look forward to serving the people of Mercer County and I pledge to work hard to justify the confidence that Governor Manchin as placed in me."

Aboulhosn is a lifelong resident of Mercer County, and he said he desires to give back to his community for the way his community has helped him succeed over the years.

"The people of Mercer County have been good to my family," he said.

Aboulhosn received a bachelor's degree in political science from Concord College in 1989 and his law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1992. His wife also is a lifelong Princeton resident, and they have one daughter.

He has been a partner in the law firm of Sanders, Austin, Flanigan & Aboulhosn since 1999. He served as a magistrate court judge in 1996 and a city court judge from 1997 through 1998, and was chief mental hygiene commissioner for Mercer County. He also was a member of the Princeton City Council from June 2007 through January 2008, and vice president and part owner of Standard Office Equipment Co. in Princeton.

In November, Aboulhosn was elected Family Court Judge in the Twelfth Family Court Circuit covering Mercer and McDowell Counties. He will not accept that position as a result of this appointment, which leaves a vacancy the governor must fill by appointment.

Aboulhosn will attend training sessions for new circuit judges Feb. 15-17 in Charleston and April 19-30 at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nev.