Boone County welcomed its newest circuit judge last week as Madison Attorney William S. Thompson took his oath of office.

Gov. Joe Manchin appointed Thompson, 37, to fill the vacancy in the 25th Judicial Circuit of Boone and Lincoln counties created by the retirement of Judge E. Lee Schlaegel, Jr., on December 31.

Last Wednesday, Thompson took the oath of office from Judge Schlaegel in the courtroom where he began hearing cases the next day.

Witnessing the event were over 30 of his friends and colleagues, including numerous attorneys, law enforcement officers and elected officials, including Circuit Clerk Sue Ann Zickefoose, Prosecuting Attorney Sam Hall, County Clerk Gary Williams and Sheriff Rodney Miller.

Thompson’s wife and children were also on hand for the event.

Thompson is a lifelong resident of Boone County, a graduate of West Virginia University and West Virginia University College of Law.

He was admitted to the Bar in 1995 and has been a Boone County mental hygiene commissioner since 2002. He will be West Virginia’s youngest circuit judge. He was formerly a member of the Cook & Cook law firm.

The founding member of Cook & Cook, Jerry W. Cook, also formerly held Thompson’s current position.

Interestingly, when Cook took his oath of office as judge, he was, at the time, also the youngest judge in Boone County history.

Judge Thompson will hold a public ceremony on Tuesday, March 6, for a ceremonial swearing in from Boone County native and current West Virginia State Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Justice Robin Jean Davis. Refreshments will be served. The ceremony starts at noon.