CHARLES TOWN – Currently serving as Jefferson County chief deputy prosecuting attorney, Bill Powell was recently nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia.
Recommended by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., earlier in the year, Powell earned his law degree at the West Virginia University of Law in 1985, and he has previously worked as an assistant U.S. Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice from 1990 to 1992. He also has experience working as a managing member of the Jackson Kelly PLLC attorney firm in Martinsburg as well.
Since April, however, Powell has worked with Jefferson County prosecuting attorney Matt Harvey. Harvey said he is proud of the nomination Powell – both his friend and colleague – has received.
“I feel that (Trump) got the nomination right with Powell,” Harvey said. “I’m looking forward to the continued and strengthened partnership with U.S. Attorney’s office.”
Harvey said nominating an Eastern Panhandle resident to the U.S. Attorney’s position for the northern district of West Virginia could bring a lot of benefits to the area, and Harvey is excited to see the outcome of the honor.
Capito also released a statement about Powell’s qualifications for the position.
“Bill Powell is uniquely qualified to serve as the next U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of West Virginia,”Capito said. “He has dedicated his legal career to serving West Virginians, including in his role as a federal prosecutor, and will do the same in this new role. Following his confirmation, I look forward to partnering with him to combat our state’s drug epidemic and uphold the law.”
Powell said he appreciates the honored nomination. However, he said his nomination has not been confirmed, and he said he respects the continuation of the process.
Now that Trump has nominated Powell, the decision will be sent to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee for discussion. If approved, the vote will be presented to the Senate floor. Powell said he does not know what the confirmation timeline will be.
“I’m honored, and I very much appreciate the nomination,” Powell said. “I respect the (confirmation) process, and it’s not finished yet.”