CHARLESTON — Supreme Court Justice Evan Jenkins formally announced his resignation today from the Supreme Court, saying that he wanted to return to the practice of law.
Jenkins' resignation is effective Sunday.
"It has been my distinct privilege and honor to serve the great people of West Virginia these past four years as a Justice and Chief Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court," Jenkins said in his letter. "I am grateful for the opportunity you and the voters of West Virginia gave me to make a positive contribution to the state through the judicial system."
Jenkins said he joined the court to fix the past problems and restore the public's trust in the court.
"Working with my fellow jurists who deserve much credit for their leadership and dedicated public service, we restored fiscal discipline and put policies in place to ensure the past misconduct never happens again," Jenkins said in the letter.
In recent years, the court has returned $10 million to address taxpayer needs and cut its budget by millions. It also expanded the family and veterans' treatment programs, implemented a new civility oath for lawyers, started an educational video series and created safer access to the courts for sexual assault and domestic violence victims, Jenkins wrote.
Jenkins said he felt confident that stability and reform have been achieved.
"My public and community service has always been about fighting for a better West Virginia, and I truly believe our state's future has never been brighter," Jenkins said.
Jenkins said he was returning to the practice of law to put his years of state and federal experience to good use.
“Evan has devoted his entire life to public service and, on behalf of all West Virginians, we thank him,” Gov. Jim Justice said. “It was one of my highest honors to appoint Evan to our Supreme Court in 2018 and, since then, he and his colleagues have restored honor and integrity to our court. I look forward to appointing a new justice who can fill his shoes and carry the torch of honor and integrity well into the future.”
The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission will begin immediately to fill Jenkins' vacancy with an appointee to serve as a justice until West Virginia voters and elect a new justice.