Leigh M. Lefler was sworn in as a judge in the Thirteenth Family Court Circuit (Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming Counties) on April 28, 2023. Governor Jim Justice appointed her to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Louise Goldston.

Judge Lefler has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Shepherd University and a law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law.

She has been practicing law since 2003. At the time of her appointment to the bench, she was a Raleigh County Assistant Prosecutor.

She previously served as guardian ad litem Band as a member of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia’s Advisory Committee for Family Treatment Courts. She participated in the Raleigh County Juvenile Drug Court, helped develop the Raleigh County Family Treatment Court, and was on the board of the Raleigh County Public Defender Office for many years.

She lives in Beckley and has served on the Beckley Performing Arts Board of Directors.