David W. Hummel Jr., Chief Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit

Effective July 1, the Honorable David W. Hummel Jr. has taken over as the Chief Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit. As Chief Judge, in addition to his current responsibilities, Hummel is further charged with administrative and personnel management and oversight related to the Circuit and Magistrate Courts of Marshall, Wetzel, and Tyler counties.

Judge Hummel is currently the youngest Circuit Court Judge in the State of West Virginia. “I welcome the opportunities, additional responsibilities, and challenges that naturally come with being Chief Judge,” said Hummel.

Recently, Judge Hummel presented his views and perspectives as a new judge to a capacity crowd on hand at the Wheeling Academy of Law and Science (WALS). Morning With The Judges XIV was part of the WALS Continuing Legal Education Program for area lawyers. Participating lawyers received up to 2.7 hours of CLE approved credits from West Virginia and 2.3 CLE credits for Ohio and Pennsylvania.

In his CLE lecture Hummel stressed the most important work done is with abuse and neglect cases. In his ever-growing career Hummel has presided over juvenile, truancy, and night court; magistrate, family law, and administrative appeals; and uncontested divorce cases and wedding ceremonies.

“It’s a wonderful profession,” said Hummel. “This is no job, this is a position.” However, the position isn’t without its down sides. Hummel noted there’s nothing tougher than telling a lady she’s never going to be a parent to a particular child. “It’s tough and I’m willing to do it,” he says.

“But those people live in our community. Going to Wal-Mart where the world meets is a different thing now.” Hummel also said life is very different for his family also, and that out of necessity he now carries a firearm at all times.

Hummel is a 1988 graduate of John Marshall High School. In 1992 he graduated cum laude with a bachelors degree in Business Management from Marshall University and went on to the University of Oklahoma College of Law where he graduated with distinction and earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1995.

In 2003 Hummel practiced solo with Hummel Law Offices, with offices in Moundsville and Cameron. He held this position until his election to the Bench in November 2008. Additionally, he was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Marshall County from 2003 to October 2008.

Before taking the Bench in January 2009, Hummel was licensed to practice law in the States of West Virginia, Maryland, and Ohio.

As a presiding judge, his licenses are currently in good standing, but inactive. Immediately before taking the Bench he was Law Clerk to Hon. John T. Madden, retired.

“My goal all along was to become a judge,” said Hummel. Judge Hummel has a strong appreciation for firms of all sizes and through his life’s work he’s gained much experience and knowledge in the court system, while maintaining the highest degree of respect to the court of law and all persons who enter his courtroom.