Justice Gerald M. Titus III will officially be sworn in as a member of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia during a formal investiture ceremony scheduled for 3 p.m. on January 21, 2025. The event will take place in the Supreme Court courtroom at the West Virginia Capitol in Charleston. This ceremony follows his earlier swearing-in during a private event held on December 12, 2024, allowing him to commence work ahead of the court’s spring term.
Appointed by Governor Patrick Morrisey on November 21, 2024, Titus fills the seat left vacant by the late Justice Tim Armstead, who passed away in August. Although seating for the upcoming ceremony will be limited, media representatives are encouraged to attend. A reception will follow in the Capitol’s lower rotunda.
Background and Career Achievements
Born in Morgantown and raised in Spencer, Titus pursued his education at Washington and Lee University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in politics and American history in 2000 and a law degree in 2003. During his time there, he was elected president of the Executive Committee of the Student Body, an organization that oversees the university’s student-run Honor System.
In his legal career, Titus has experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in civil matters. He has worked as a prosecutor and defense attorney in various criminal cases. Notably, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of West Virginia from 2007 to 2009, focusing on violent crimes. From 2014 until his Supreme Court appointment, he was part of the United States Criminal Justice Act Panel, which provides legal representation to indigent defendants.
Titus joined the Charleston law firm of Spilman, Thomas & Battle in 2009, where he maintained a general litigation practice that encompassed complex business disputes, commercial transportation claims, eminent domain proceedings, environmental matters, and criminal investigations. His work earned him recognition as a West Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2015 to 2018 and as one of The Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation from 2019 to 2025.
Community Involvement and Leadership Roles
Beyond his legal practice, Titus has been actively involved in various organizations. He served on the West Virginia State Bar Board of Governors from 2020 to 2024, where he led initiatives to raise awareness of the needs of foster children and caregivers in the state. Additionally, he was president of the Judge John A. Field Jr. Chapter of the American Inns of Court from 2011 to 2012 and served as president of the Washington and Lee Alumni Association Chapter Board.
From 2018 to 2025, he was also a member of the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia. At the time of his Supreme Court appointment, Titus held the position of vice president on the board of directors for Mission West Virginia, an organization dedicated to supporting children and families in the state.
Titus resides in Charleston with his wife, Meredith, and their three children. His extensive legal background and commitment to community service are expected to serve him well in his new role on the Supreme Court.
