Five chosen to interview for spot on Cabell bench

CHARLESTON - Five attorneys are vying to become Cabell County’s next judge.

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission has selected Christopher Chiles, Cheryl Henderson, Ashley Lockwood, Robert McKinney II and Paul Ryker to be interviewed as the replacement for Judge David J. Pancake, who announced in October his retirement in January.

According to Peter Markham, commission spokesman, the five will be interviewed in Charleston at the Kanawha County Commission offices on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Within the following day or days, Markham said the commission will recommend to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin at least two names to fill Pancake’s unexpired term. To retain the seat, the appointee will have to successfully run in a special election next year.

Chiles is the current prosecuting attorney for Cabell County. He was first elected in 1992.

Henderson is a partner in the Huntington law firm of Henderson, Henderson and Staples. She specializes in family law, personal injury and real estate.

Lockwood is a partner in the Huntington law firm of Lockwood and Lockwood. He specializes in family and criminal law.

McKinney is counsel to the Division of Probation Services within the state Supreme Court’s administrative offices. Before working for the court, McKinney worked for the law firms of Mapother and Mapother, Bailey and Wyant, Huddleston Bolen and Jenkins Fenstermaker.

Ryker is a sole practitioner in Barboursville who specializes in insurance law.