Judge Mark Sorsaia was appointed to the circuit court bench in Putnam County and took office on November 6, 2024. At the time of his appointment, he was Cabinet Secretary for the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security, a job he had held since August 1, 2023.  

Judge Sorsaia received a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration from West Virginia University in 1981 and a law degree from Ohio Northern University in 1984. He began his public service career in 1988 as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Putnam County. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney in 1996 and was re-elected several times, serving in that position until he became a Cabinet Secretary.                                                                                                                                                                             
He is a past Vice President of the West Virginia Association of Counties. He has served on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Association. He was also Chair of the Executive Committee of the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute, West Virginia's representative on the Board of Directors of the National District Attorneys Association, and a member of the Board of Regents of the National College of District Attorneys and the National District Attorneys Association. As a prosecutor, he was a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education programs for law enforcement and prosecutors, including at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. He taught about the use of forensic science, trial advocacy, and professional ethics.

Judge Sorsaia has family in Fraziers Bottom, Putnam County, and he lives in Hurricane.