The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission (JVAC) has released the names of the applicants seeking to fill the seat on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, created by the resignation of Justice Evan Jenkins.

The JVAC must submit a list of no more than five but not less than two of the most qualified applicants to the Governor Justice by May 5th. Upon receipt of the list, Justice has 30 days to name Jenkins’ replacement.

Making application for the vacancy from Putnam County were Prosecuting Attorney Mark Sorsaia and Kris Raynes of Eleanor. Raynes is a faculty member of the National District Attorneys Association.

Other individuals applying were C. Haley Bunn – Assistant U.S. Attorney, United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia (2012-2019) and Steptoe & Johnson PLLC of Charleston; Nicole A. Cofer – WV Prosecuting Attorneys Institute and Kanawha County Prosecutor’s Office; Robert J. Frank – Robert J. Frank & Associates LLC of Lewisburg; Gregory Howard, Jr. – Circuit Court Judge for Cabell County of Barboursville; Charles O. Lorensen – Member of Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC of Charleston; James J. Rowe – Former Greenbrier County Circuit Court Judge; and Joanna I. Tabit – Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge.