Charleston, W. Va. – Cabell County’s prosecuting attorney is now its newest judge.
Gov. Jim Justice on Thursday announced his appointment of Cabell County Prosecuting Attorney Sean K. “Cork” Hammers as circuit judge. Hammers, 55, of Barbourville was one or four attorneys who applied to fill the vacancy created by the unexpected and abrupt retirement of former Judge Christopher. D. Chiles in October.
“Corky Hammers is a highly respected attorney with a proven record of service to Cabell County,” Justice said in a press release announcing Hammers’ appointment. “I am confident that his experience, dedication, and commitment to justice will make him an excellent judge.”
Along with Hammers, Cabell Family Court Judge Jara Howard, a former assistant Cabell County prosecutor, Elani Kantos-Miller, law clerk for Judge Paul T. Farrell and Ashley Lockwood, owner of the Huntington law firm of Lockwood and Lockwood applied to fill Chiles’ vacancy. The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission interviewed the candidates Wednesday, and later recommended Justice select either Hammers or Kantos-Miller.
After serving as an assistant for 17 years, Hammers was appointed prosecutor in 2014 following Chiles’ appointment by then-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to fill the vacancy left by former Judge David Pancake’s retirement. After winning in 2014 to fill Chiles’ unexpired term as prosecutor, Hammers, a Democrat, won re-election in 2016 and 2020 after running unopposed in both the primary and general elections.
Hammers begins his appointment as judge later this month, which is n in effect until Dec. 31, 2024. To retain the seat for a full eight-year term, he will have to run successfully in May’s primary election.
No date has been set for when Hammers will be sworn-in as judge, and join Farrell, Gregory Howard and Alfred Ferguson, all of whom are also up for election in May, on the bench.
Upon his resignation as prosecutor, the Cabell County Commission will appoint a licensed West Viginia attorney to fill out Hammers’ unexpired term.
Freelance journalist Norma J. Brown contributed to this story.