Chief Justice Brent D. Benjamin was elected to a full twelve-year term on the Supreme Court of Appeals in November 2004. He is a native of Marietta, Ohio. After graduation from law school in 1984, he settled in Charleston, West Virginia. He is married to the former Janice Taylor. They have five children, Paul, Mary, Laura, Amanda, and Evan. Chief Justice Benjamin is a graduate of The Ohio State University, from which he holds both a B.A. and J.D. Before his election, he was a principal attorney with Robinson and McElwee, PLLC in Charleston. His 20-year practice at that firm involved general civil litigation in state and federal courts, including toxic torts and complex litigation. His civil rights practice focused on protecting children from physical and sexual abuse. He has practiced in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky Supreme Court. Since his election, Chief Justice Benjamin has been a regular presenter and instructor in a variety of public forums and legal conferences, including his recent speech on judicial elections at the National Press Club, in Washington D.C. He is a 1999 graduate of Leadership West Virginia. Away from his judicial duties, Chief Justice Benjamin is also a current member of the Hocking College Archaeological Mission, and has participated in archaeological excavations in the United States and Egypt. Chief Justice Benjamin attends Christ Church United Methodist, in Charleston.