CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Joe Manchin today announced he is appointing Carrie L. Webster of Charleston to fill the Kanawha County Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court seat left vacant by President Obama's appointment of Judge Irene Berger to the federal court bench. The seat officially became vacant last month.
"We were fortunate to have an outstanding group of highly qualified candidates for this position, which is one of the busiest circuits in the state," Manchin said. "Carrie Webster is a passionate lawyer and dedicated public servant, and I am confident she will be an excellent circuit court judge who will faithfully serve the citizens of Kanawha County.
"She has tackled many difficult and complex legal issues, both as a lawyer and as House Judiciary Chair. With her experience, Carrie will bring a unique and familiar perspective to any legal issue she is confronted with on the bench."
Webster has been a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates since 2001, and chair of the Judiciary Committee since 2006. She currently is an associate with the Charleston law firm of Bucci, Bailey & Javins, and served as assistant public defender for the Kanawha County Public Defender's office from 1997 to 2000. She was a law clerk for West Virginia Legal Services Corp. and also was an assistant and press secretary for former West Virginia Attorneys General Charlie Brown and Roger Tompkins.
She is a member of the West Virginia Association of Justice's Board of Governors and the American Association of Justice, and has been a member of the West Virginia Bar since 1997.
Webster said she is humbled by the confidence Gov. Manchin has shown in her by making this appointment. "I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my public service as a circuit judge. As the appointed successor to the judicial seat held by the Honorable Judge Irene Berger, I will dedicate myself to meeting the high standards that she has set. I will work hard, treat all parties with fairness and respect, and conduct myself in the dignified and ethical manner that all of us expect of our judicial officers."
Webster was selected from a group of seven candidates evaluated by the Governor's Advisory Committee on Judicial Nominations. This committee process has been used by Gov. Manchin, as well as his immediate predecessors, to advise the governor on appointments to fill judicial vacancies. The advisory committee evaluated the qualifications and experience of the seven candidates and presented information on all seven candidates to the governor for his consideration.
"I want to thank all the candidates for their interest in serving the people of Kanawha County, and the advisory committee for their insight and evaluation," Manchin said. "There is a vast amount of experience and talent in the applicants and I was impressed with all of them."
Webster received her bachelor's degree in Political Science from West Virginia University in 1988 and received her law degree from the WVU College of Law in 1997. She was born in Fairfax, Va., grew up in Moorefield, W.Va., and has lived in Charleston since 1989. She is married to Greg Skinner and has a daughter, Katherine.
