My name is William “Bill” McCourt, Jr. and I am a candidate for Circuit Judge, Division 1, in Braxton, Clay, Gilmer and Webster Counties. I have over 27 years of legal experience, which makes me the most experienced candidate for Circuit Judge.
My wife Kathy and I have been married for 25 years. We are the proud parents of two daughters, Amber and Bryce, and one son, Will. I was born and raised in Webster County. My grandparents and parents taught me to work hard. My first job was at a gym in Webster Springs while I was still in high school. I started college at WVU in 1985 and worked every summer and school break at Elk River Sewell Coal Company.
In 1986 I began working during school breaks for Lady H Coal Company in the prep plant and coal lab. In 1988 I switched to the engineering department for Lady H Coal. I graduated from WVU in 1989 with a degree in mining engineering and continued to work for Lady H Coal as a mining engineer in underground and surface mines and the coal prep plant until I started law school in the fall of 1991.
I spent my law school summers working in the law offices of Jack Alsop. I also worked for Bill McCourt Trucking from 1994 until 1996. In 1996 I began working at Jack Morton’s Law Office until I went to work as an attorney at the law office of Larry Losch in Summerville in late 1996. In October of 2004 I became a named partner of Losch and McCourt, PLLC and maintained that office until it closed in July of 2023.
I also served as Braxton County Assistant prosecutor from June of 2016 through April 2018. In April of 2018 I took a job as Webster County assistant prosecutor so that I could be closer to home to assist my parents. In June of 2023 I accepted my current position as assistant prosecutor and returned to Braxton County.
I have handled countless civil and criminal cases and have extensive experience with real estate, worker’s comp, social security, personal injury and property matters. As a partner at Losch & McCourt, I have prepared and handled hundreds of deeds, contracts, wills and estates. I have handled many child abuse and neglect cases, both as a civil attorney and as an assistant prosecutor. In my time as assistant prosecutor I have also handled many juvenile, misdemeanor and felony cases. I also have over 10 years of experience as a city judge for municipal court.
As my father would say, I have kept busy at “good, honest work”, all while being the first in my family to graduate college. I will work hard for you if you elect me as your next Circuit Judge. Thank you for your consideration.