Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has appointed Jennifer Dent as 11th District Circuit Court judge, serving Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties. She replaces Judge James Rowe, who retired. “I appreciate the willingness of both Jennifer and Mark to serve in these important roles,” Tomblin said. “Their dedication to their local communities and to the law is evident, and I’m confident both will serve their judicial circuits well.” Dent was elected May 10 to a full term for the same seat. “I’m very excited to serve the people of Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties,” Dent said. “I have a strong work ethic, and as the responsibilities of circuit court judges are expanding, I will do my best to fulfill those duties.” A native of Greenbrier County, she attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Cumberland School of Law before returning to West Virginia in 1994. Since 2002, she has served as assistant prosecutor in Greenbrier County. In that role, she prosecuted child abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency and juvenile status offenses and misdemeanor and felony cases. Dent is a member of the Greenbrier Valley Bike Club, which sponsors Wheels of Hope to raise money for local cancer patients. She is a past recipient of the Champion for Children award. Tomblin also appointed Mark Wills to replace Judge Omar Aboulhosn in the 9th Judicial Circuit in Mercer County. Aboulhosn resigned to take a federal position.
