Circuit Judge Anita Harold Ashley has filed pre candidacy paperwork as she seeks reelection to the bench for the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
“I’m seeking re-election because I believe I’m making a difference. In processing cases through the system, it’s important that the citizens know and understand that they will be treated professionally and with respect and that they will get a fair and just result. I’ve worked hard to assure that and I want to continue the great progress we have made,” Judge Ashley explained.
Currently, Judge Ashely serves as President of the West Virginia Judicial Association, and in that role, she is a leader in judicial matters across the state. She worked on various issues at the state legislature and will be assisting in formulating a strategic plan for the judiciary. In January 2023, she was honored by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) as West Virginia’s Judge of the Year. In April, she was named as a West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellow. In her everyday work as a Circuit Judge, she presides over the dockets in each of the circuit counties and has handled several jury trials each year. Additionally, she oversees the very successful Roane-Calhoun Adult Drug Court and the Roane-Calhoun Family Treatment Court.
Judge Ashley, who resides in Spencer, was first elected as Circuit Judge in 2016. The circuit encompasses four counties, Calhoun, Jackson, Mason, and Roane, and is served by three judges. In the 2024 election, there will be three divisions based on residences. While candidates will be required to run in all four counties, Judge Ashley will seek re-election as the candidate in the Roane-Calhoun division.
Prior to her election in 2016, Judge Ashley practiced law for 35 years, handling many different kids of cases and providing various legal services. She served thirteen years as a Family Law Master (the job now titled Family Court Judge), was an assistant prosecutor, represented individuals in criminal and civil cases and served as guardian ad litem for many children in abuse/neglect cases throughout the circuit. She was named one of “The Best Lawyers in American” by U.S. News and World Report from 2012 to 2016 and one of “West Virginia’s Best Attorneys” by The State Journal. In 2014, she was named a National Top 10 Attorney by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys.
Judge Ashley is a member of Spencer Rotary (where she served as the first female president), was involved in establishing the Roane county College Scholarship Foundation, and is active in St. John’s United Methodist Church. She is married to Bob Ashley, and has two adult sons, Ben and Sam. She is also the proud grandmother of two little girls.
