Judge Julie A. Pence was born and raised in Wayne County, West Virginia, where she graduated from Ceredo-Kenova High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Marshall University in 1999 and her law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law in 2002. She was a member of the West Virginia Law Review and served as vice-president of her class.

From 2002 to 2010, Judge Pence practiced as a litigator with the law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP in Charleston, West Virginia. Following the birth of her second daughter in 2010, Judge Pence practiced in-house with a real estate development company for nearly three years before returning to private practice with Hardy Pence PLLC. At that firm she devoted her entire practice to family law matters.

In June 2021, Governor Jim Justice appointed her to the bench in the Eleventh Family Court Circuit (Kanawha County). She was elected to an eight-year term in 2024.

Judge Pence is married to Chris Pence, a lawyer in Charleston. They live with their two daughters in South Charleston.