Meet Larry Harrah
​Larry Harrah is Fayette County—born here, raised here, and committed to serving here.
With decades of experience on both sides of the courtroom, Larry is stepping forward once again—not for ambition, but out of purpose and responsibility to the place he calls home.
Those who know Larry describe him as down-to-earth, relatable, kind but firm. He’s honest, direct, and grounded in integrity. You always know where you stand with him—and you know he’ll stand by his word.
Rooted in Fayette County
“I had lots of offers, but I always had it in my mind that I would come back here and start a family in Fayette County. Our families are here. We have a support network for our boys. This is where we wanted to be. It is home.”
- 2017 Register Herald Article
​Larry was born and raised in Fayette County, shaped by a working-class family with deep roots in coal mining and blue-collar work. His father worked at the local Alloy plant until an on-the-job accident changed their family’s life. Those experiences gave Larry an early understanding of hard work, sacrifice, and resilience—the realities many Fayette County families live every day.
He attended Fayetteville High School and earned his undergraduate degree from West Virginia Tech in Montgomery, a school with deep ties to working families across southern West Virginia. Even with opportunities elsewhere, Larry always knew he would come back.
In a 2017 Register-Herald article, Larry explained that decision simply:
“I had lots of offers, but I always had it in my mind that I would come back here and start a family in Fayette County. Our families are here. We have a support network for our boys. This is where we wanted to be. It is home.”
An avid outdoorsman, Larry feels deeply connected to the land and beauty of Fayette County—its woods, rivers, and small communities. That connection, paired with his upbringing, fuels his empathy and his desire to serve the people who live here.
Learning the Law from the Inside Out
During law school, Larry served as an intern in the Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, gaining early, hands-on experience with the realities of public service and the responsibility that comes with it.
While in law school, Larry was also a member of the Trial Advocacy Team, competing in national competitions—including one at Georgetown University—where he honed the courtroom skills that would later define his legal career.
He graduated in 2008 from West Virginia University College of Law on a Saturday. That same day, Judge John Hatcher—who attended Larry’s graduation—offered him a position as a law clerk.
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“He asked me if I could start Monday, so I started Monday.”
Larry went on to serve as a law clerk for Judge Hatcher, learning firsthand what it takes to run a courtroom with fairness, dignity, and efficiency. Judge Hatcher set a clear standard—one rooted in preparation, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law.
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While at WVU Law, Larry won the Lugar Cup, a prestigious trial advocacy award. During that competition, Justice Larry Starcher remarked that Larry was going to make “a great Southern lawyer.”
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In a 2015 Fayette Tribune article, Judge Hatcher joked that if Larry Harrah could work for him as a law clerk, he could do anything.
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Those early years on the bench side of the courtroom shaped Larry’s understanding of judicial responsibility—and the standard of excellence he believes Fayette County deserves.
Serving through Fayette County's Toughest Moments
Larry began his public service as an assistant prosecutor and later served as Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney during one of the most difficult periods in the county’s history: the opioid epidemic.
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While serving as assistant prosecutor, Larry also opened Harrah Law Firm, building a private practice while remaining deeply engaged in public service—a reflection of both his work ethic and his commitment to Fayette County.
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As prosecutor, Larry didn’t just enforce the law—he worked to build solutions. He was involved in the early development of drug court and treatment-focused approaches, helping shift the system toward accountability paired with recovery. Years later, people still approach him to share how drug court changed their lives.
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During that time, Larry brought national attention and resources to Fayette County—hosting screenings and panel discussions tied to a nationally recognized heroin documentary and working alongside the health department, sheriff’s office, and community leaders to confront the crisis head-on.
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He led major prosecutions—not targeting those struggling with addiction, but the larger players trafficking drugs into the community—while never losing sight of the human cost behind every case.
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In recognition of his work supporting victims, Larry was awarded the 2016 Incite Hope Award by the Women’s Resource Center for his professional and personal contributions to victims of domestic violence.
Image from the public domain. Does not reflect endorsement.
Experience that Carries Weight
Throughout his career, Larry has handled some of Fayette County’s most serious and emotionally difficult cases—including major murder trials, crimes involving children, and high-profile sexual assault cases. His courtroom presence is steady, commanding, and grounded in preparation.
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When speaking about a victim in a 2016 Register Herald Interview, Larry said:
“She didn’t like me at first. I can understand that. I’m loud at times. And she had just been through something horrible. But slowly she began to trust me. Later, I saw her on the street and she introduced me as the man who saved her life.”
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Larry has also worked cold cases—returning unresolved matters to court not for headlines, but to bring long-overdue closure to families who had never been able to properly grieve.
Seeing the Law from Every Side
After his time as prosecutor, Larry continued building his private practice—gaining extensive experience on the civil side of the law, criminal defense, and real estate matters. He has defended clients, prosecuted cases, and represented families and individuals navigating complex legal issues.
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That balance matters.
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Larry understands the system from every angle—how decisions affect victims, defendants, families, attorneys, and the broader community. It’s perspective you can’t learn from a single role.
A Call Back to Action
After his time as prosecutor, Larry continued building his private practice—gaining extensive experience on the civil side of the law, criminal defense, and real estate matters. He has defended clients, prosecuted cases, and represented families and individuals navigating complex legal issues.
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That balance matters.
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Larry understands the system from every angle—how decisions affect victims, defendants, families, attorneys, and the broader community. It’s perspective you can’t learn from a single role.
