United States District Judge, Southern District of West Virginia
By Kensie Westerfield
Not many people can say that their passion for their career started in junior high and that it has stuck with them for 25 years, but that is precisely what happened to Thomas Johnston. The fascination with government and politics that he developed while he learned about the United States Constitution led him down the path to become the second youngest U.S. Attorney in the country when he was sworn in at the age of 34. Johnston went on to become the youngest district court judge in the nation at 38.
Before finding his true passion in the political arena, though, Johnston had the chance to perfect his ice cream sundae making abilities. “My first job was at the Chico Dairy restaurant that used to be on Beechurst Avenue in Morgantown. I could make a banana split in 30 seconds.”
The first step in his career in law after graduation from the West Virginia University College of Law was spent clerking for Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr., in Wheeling where he learned a great deal about law and also met his future wife, a federal prosecutor. “This was an extremely formative experience for me. Judge Stamp is a scholarly, decent and gentlemanly judge who set a great standard to which to aspire as a lawyer and as a human being.”
Stamp has continued to influence Johnston over the years, and Johnston still looks to his example now that he is a judge. “I had two years to observe close up the way a good judge does his job. When in doubt, I ask myself, how would Judge Stamp handle this? That question has never failed me.”
In addition to Stamp’s influence, Johnston has been fortunate to have several other wonderful people in his corner. His mother, Betty Johnston, set an example in his youth with her community service. He credits lessons in leadership to Dennis Barron of Martinsburg from his days at Civil Air Patrol summer camp and says that without the friendship of Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, he would not be where he is today. He learned about the day-to-day practice of law from John Preston Bailey, who is now Chief Judge of the Northern District, and in the political phase of his career, he pinpoints three of his greatest mentors as Bill Phillips of Elkins, Anne McCuskey of Charleston and Harry Buch of Wheeling.
“My wife and best friend, Lisa Grimes Johnston, has also been a great influence on me, providing advice, counsel and support to me through the years as only a wise and loving wife can.” The Johnstons have a daughter, Joie, and a son, Jack.
With the support of these people and others, Johnston was able to implement a program that he found very rewarding. “I consider my greatest success to be my work on Project Safe Homes, an initiative I developed when I was United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia to address domestic violence in West Virginia. I believe that this program had a significant impact on the very serious problem of domestic violence in our state.” For his work in the area, Johnston was awarded the Purple Ribbon Award by the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 2003.
“My Christian faith teaches me to serve others. My goal as a judge is to serve the people of West Virginia by providing a forum in which parties can seek fairness and justice under the law as well as efficient resolution of their disputes.”
Growing up in Mason County just outside of Point Pleasant, living in Morgantown and Wheeling and representing both the southern and northern districts of West Virginia, Johnston certainly has developed a love for the Mountain State. “West Virginia is home to a unique and rich culture that simply does not exist elsewhere. I would feel like an outsider anywhere else.”
