(l-r): Judge Mark Sorsaia, Cynthia Sorsaia, Judge Stephanie Abraham, and Judge Phillip Stowers.

Mark Sorsaia was sworn in as circuit court judge in the Twenty-Ninth Judicial Circuit in a public ceremonial investiture conducted by Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Stephanie Abraham on Friday, November 15, at the Putnam County Judicial Building in Winfield. Judge Sorsaia had previously taken the oath of office privately so he could assume duties on November 6.

Judge Sorsaia was appointed by Gov. Jim Justice to fill the seat vacated by Judge Joseph K. Reeder who resigned to accept an appointment as a federal magistrate judge in the Southern District of West Virginia. At the time of his appointment on October 16, Judge Sorsaia was Cabinet Secretary for the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security.

Judge Sorsaia received a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration from West Virginia University in 1981 and a law degree from Ohio Northern University in 1984. He began his public service career in 1988 as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Putnam County. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney in 1996 and served in that position until he became a Cabinet Secretary in August of 2023.

He is a past Vice President of the West Virginia Association of Counties. He has served on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Association. He was also Chair of the Executive Committee of the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute, West Virginia’s representative on the Board of Directors of the National District Attorneys Association, and a member of The Board of Regents of the National College of District Attorneys and the National District Attorneys Association. As a prosecutor, he was a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education programs for law enforcement and prosecutors, including at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. He taught about the use of forensic science, trial advocacy, and professional ethics.

Judge Sorsaia resides in Hurricane.