United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
About This Court
Located in the Fourth Circuit, the Western District of Virginia covers the western portion of the Commonwealth, encompassing the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the southwestern regions of the state. The district spans a large geographic area that includes cities such as Roanoke, Lynchburg, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Abingdon, and Big Stone Gap. The clerk's office is headquartered in Roanoke.
The district handles federal civil and criminal matters arising from its territory, which includes both urban centers and rural communities spread across several hundred miles. Cases involving Appalachian regional industries, including coal and natural resources, have historically appeared on the docket alongside federal criminal matters and civil rights litigation.
As part of the Fourth Circuit, appeals from the Western District of Virginia are heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, which sits primarily in Richmond.
Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, along with the court's local rules. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the companion Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Virginia.
Divisions
Abingdon Division (Abingdon), Big Stone Gap Division (Big Stone Gap), Charlottesville Division (Charlottesville), Danville Division (Danville), Harrisonburg Division (Harrisonburg), Lynchburg Division (Lynchburg), Roanoke Division (Roanoke)
Caseload
The court handles a mix of federal criminal cases, civil rights matters, and cases involving natural resources and land use issues consistent with the region's industrial and rural character. Drug trafficking prosecutions have represented a significant portion of the criminal docket.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the Western District of Virginia by filing an application with the clerk's office and meeting the court's local rule requirements, including membership in good standing with the Virginia State Bar or another state bar.
Clerk's Office
210 Franklin Road SW, Suite 540, Roanoke, VA 24011
(540) 857-5100
Active Judges 7
| Name | Appointed By | Confirmed | Law School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Ballou | Joseph R. Biden | 2023 | University of Virginia School of Law |
| Thomas Cullen | Donald J. Trump | 2020 | William and Mary Law School |
| Elizabeth Dillon | Barack Obama | 2014 | Wake Forest University School of Law |
| James Jones | William J. Clinton | 1996 | University of Virginia School of Law |
| Norman Moon | William J. Clinton | 1997 | University of Virginia School of Law |
| Michael Urbanski | Barack Obama | 2011 | University of Virginia School of Law |
| Jasmine Yoon | Joseph R. Biden | 2024 | University of Virginia School of Law |
Local Rules
24 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.