William S. Thompson
William S. Thompson | |
|---|---|
| United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia | |
| In office October 13, 2021 – March 3, 2025 | |
| President | Joe Biden Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Michael B. Stuart Lisa G. Johnston (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Moore Capito |
| Judge of the 25th Judicial Circuit of West Virginia | |
| In office March 6, 2007 – August 18, 2021 | |
| Appointed by | Joe Manchin |
| Preceded by | E. Lee Schlaegel Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Stacy L. Nowicki-Eldridge |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Stewart Thompson 1969 (age 55–56) |
| Spouse | Keri Thompson |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | West Virginia University (BSE, JD) |
William Stewart Thompson (born 1969)[1] was the United States attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia from 2021 to 2025. From 2007 to 2021, he served as a judge on the 25th Judicial Circuit of West Virginia.
Early life and education
Thompson was born in Charleston, West Virginia. He graduated as salutatorian from Scott High School.[2] received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the West Virginia University in 1992 and his Juris Doctor from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1995.[3][2]
Career
In 1992, Thompson was a civil engineer for American Electric Power in Columbus, Ohio;[2] he also served as president of Madison Healthcare, Incorporated from 1997 to 2007, and as vice president of Danville Lumber Company from 1994 to 2007. he was an associate at the law firm of Cook and Cook in Madison, West Virginia from 1995 to 2007. His primary focus was litigation, which included representing several hundred indigent clients in criminal defense and other matters.[3] From 2007 to 2021, he served as a judge for the 25th Judicial Circuit of West Virginia after being appointed by West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin,[2] to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge E. Lee Schlaegel Jr. He was sworn in on March 6, 2007.[4] He was re-elected in 2008 and 2016.[3] He resigned effective August 18, 2021, after being nominated as U.S. Attorney.[5][6]
U.S. attorney
On August 10, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Thompson to be the United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia.[7] On September 30, 2021, his nomination was reported out of committee by voice vote.[8] On October 5, 2021, his nomination was confirmed in the United States Senate by voice vote.[9] On October 13, 2021, he was sworn in by Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston in a private ceremony.[10]
References
- ^ "Questionnaire for Non-Judicial Nominees" (PDF). United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "WV Judicial System Judges: Judge William S. Thompson". www.courtswv.gov. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c "President Biden Announces Eight New Nominees to Serve as U.S. Attorneys" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Swearing-In Ceremony for Judge Thompson" (Press release). March 1, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ "Boone/Lincoln Circuit Judge Appointed U.S. Attorney" (PDF). West Virginia Judiciary. August 12, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ^ WVMetroNews (August 19, 2021). "Clawges assigned to replace Thompson in Boone circuit until new judge named". WV MetroNews. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ^ "Nominations Sent to the Senate" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. August 11, 2021.
- ^ "Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Latest Slate of U.S. Attorney Nominations" (Press release). United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "PN1037 - Nomination of William S. Thompson for Department of Justice, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "William S. Thompson Sworn In as United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia". www.justice.gov. October 13, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
External links