Judge Joseph F. Shaffer, Jr., was elected to the bench in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit (Harrison County) in May 2024 and took office on January 1, 2025. He was born and raised in Clarksburg. He received a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Fairmont State College in 1982 and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1994. 

He practiced law in Clarksburg as an associate at the Law Office of Scot Dieringer (1995-1997); as a solo practitioner at Shaffer Law Office (1997-2003); as a prosecuting attorney for Harrison County (2003-2015); and as a partner at Shaffer Madia Law, PLLC (2015-2024).       

He previously served as the Clarksburg Police civil service commissioner (1998-2003) and Clarksburg Fire Department civil service commissioner (2019-2024). He is a former city attorney for the Towns of Lumberport and Lost Creek and the Cities of Shinnston and Stonewood. 

He is a former board member and coach of the Harrison County Jerry West Youth Basketball League and a former board member of the Harrison County YMCA. He and his wife, Suzanne C. Shaffer, who is an elementary school teacher, have two adult daughters.