Lera K. VanMeter is a life long resident of WV and grew up in the Southern coalfields. Lera is uniquely qualified to act as your mediator or represent you in your adoption proceeding, with 30 years of family court experience and the last 8 years serving as a family court judge. This vast experience gives her the ability to help parties resolve the issues in a divorce/child custody case or handle the complexities of the adoption process.

Before taking the bench, Lera ran her own law practice for 22 years, handling all aspects of family law matters and adoptions. She also acted as a guardian ad litem for children involved in family court cases and abuse and neglect cases. Her time as a guardian ad litem coupled with her time on the bench, give her substantial insight into how the process in family court and circuit court works and how it affects the children and all parties involved. Her experience handling these types of cases as a lawyer, guardian ad litem and judge give her a unique ability to help people resolve their family conflicts through mediation and navigate the adoption process. Lera is a compassionate and tireless advocate and will treat your family as if it is her own.