‘No nonsense’ – Judge Sam Fox happy to be home on the bench in Fayette
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV
“My plan was always to return to Fayette County, but the things we do for love!”
That’s how Judge Sam Fox describes his return to a place where his roots run deep. Born and raised in Fayette County, Fox met a young woman at law school and fell in love. Upon graduation, they relocated to Charleston where she was from and practiced law for the last 38 years.
Then on November 12, Gov. Patrick Morrisey appointed Fox to the Circuit Court in place of then-Judge Tom Ewing when he became a Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court.
“I’m very happy to be back home,” Fox says. He was sworn into office as Judge on December 4, 2025, and says he’s been “on the bench every day since.”
For the past 34 years, Fox has been in private practice with the Charleston firm of Kay, Casto, & Chaney, primarily handling medical malpractice cases.
“I tried cases all over the state, primarily in health care law, from Huntington to Martinsburg, and everywhere in between, because that’s where my clients were. I was able to appear in 40 different counties in West Virginia. I argued cases before the Supreme Court and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond.”
During that time, Fox says, “I’ve seen some excellent and not-so-excellent judges, and I’ve learned from all of them.”
What can folks expect in his courtroom? “Consistency and a calm judicial temperament. I’m a no-nonsense, composed, impartial and fair judge. I listen carefully to the litigants that appear before me, and I enjoy being a judge.”
Fox says it’s an honor to have served the past few months, and he hopes to serve longer. “When you get to be my age, I’m 61, the income is not that important. What is important is helping people. You want to provide a good community service to everybody out there. You wanna give back.”
Fox says he’s prepared to devote his time and energy to the job. “I don’t have any outside obligations with raising teenagers or young kids. Being a judge is my main focus. I don’t have any distractions.”
He’s one of ten judges in the state presiding over multiple special courts including a Family Treatment Court, a Teen Court, and an Adult Drug Court. “I view the treatment team as saving one soul at a time. The people who go through it and have substance abuse problems, this is what saves them and their families.”
Fox also says he has a personal interest in continuing the special courts. “My wife is the counsel for the Department of Probation Services. They oversee these specialty courts. Not only do I have an incentive to do well for the people of Fayette County and the participants, but if i don’t do a good job I’ve gotta answer to my wife. She’s heavily involved in these treatment courts.”
One of the reasons Judge Fox enjoys presiding on the bench is the opportunity he has to positively impact the community and young people. “I’ve coached and refereed and been involved in youth sports for a long time. It’s really great to be able to motivate people. Quitting is not acceptable. I try and have a positive impact on everybody who comes in my courtroom, including juveniles.”
“It’s my role when they come in (the courtroom), I get to speak with each one of them and praise them if they’ve done something wonderful. At the same time, I’m the disciplinarian if they’ve done something they shouldn’t be doing.”
Fox says, “At my age there is no time for nonsense. You’ve gotta get things done.”
Judge Fox is running for election to Circuit Court in District 15 which serves Fayette County, the position he was appointed to late last year. His opponents include Evan Dove, Brandon Gray, West Toney, and Larry Harrah. Voters will choose a judge in the primary election this May. All other candidates have been invited to be featured in a similar profile.
