Susan P. Watters

Susan Pamela Watters

Nonpartisan

United States District Court for the District of Montana

Tenure

2013 - Present

Years in position

11

Education

Bachelor's

Eastern Montana College, 1980

Law

University of Montana School of Law, 1988

Personal

Birthplace

Billings, Mont.

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Susan Pamela Watters is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Prior to her confirmation she was a district court judge for the 13th District Court in Montana. On May 23, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Watters to the United States District Court for the District of Montana and she was confirmed on December 12, 2013.

Education

Judge Watters earned her B.A. from Eastern Montana College in 1980 and her J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 1988.

Professional career

• 1998-2013: District Judge, Montana 13th Judicial District Court
• 1996-1998: Senior Associate, Hendrickson, Everson, Noennig & Woodward, P.C.
• 1995-1996: Sole Practitioner, Watters Law Firm
• 1989-1995: Deputy County Attorney, Yellowstone County Attorney's Office
• 1988-1989: Law Clerk, Hon. Diane G. Barz, Montana 13th Judicial District Court
• 1986-1988: Legal Intern, Garlington, Lohn & Robinson, PLLP

Judicial career

District of Montana

Nomination Tracker
Nominee Information
Name: Susan P. Watters
Court: District of Montana
Progress
Confirmed 203 days after nomination.
ANominated: May 23, 2013
AABA Rating: Unanimously Qualified
Questionnaire: Questionnaire
AHearing: July 24, 2013
QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more)
AReported: September 19, 2013
AConfirmed: December 12, 2013
AVote: 77-19

On May 23, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Susan P. Watters to the United States District Court for the District of Montana to fill the vacancy left by Richard Cebull. Obama commented on the nominations:

“

These individuals have had distinguished legal careers and I am honored to ask them to continue their work as judges on the federal bench. They will serve the American people with integrity and an unwavering commitment to justice.

”

Watters was rated Unanimously Qualified by the American Bar Association. You can find her Committee Questionnaire available here.

Watters was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 12, 2013 on a vote of 77-19.

“	The confirmation of two excellent Montanans to serve on the federal bench is great news and critical to addressing the judicial emergencies brought on by vacancies on the court... Brian Morris and Susan Watters have a long record of public service, integrity and leadership. I am certain they will continue to serve Montanans well at a time when their service is so greatly needed.	”
—Senator Max Baucus D-MT,

Elections

2012

Watters was retained with 84.31% of the vote on November 6, 2012.

See also: Montana judicial elections, 2012

2006

Watters was re-elected to the 13th District Court.

2000

Watters was re-elected to the 13th District Court.

1998

Watters was re-elected to the 13th District Court.

Awards and associations

Awards

• 2009: The Advance Science and Technology Adjudication Resource Center National Judges Science Program Fellow
• 2009: Montana State University-Billings, Distinguished Alumna
• 2006: Roots of Promise Spirit of Promise Award
• 2005: Court Appointed Special Advocates, Judge of the Year

Associations

• 2006-2007: President, Montana Judges' Association
• 1996-2002: Board of Directors, Tumbleweed Runaway and Homeless Youth Program

• 2001-2002: President

• 1996-2002: Board of Directors, Child & Family Intervention Center
• 1994-1996: Board of Directors, Yellowstone County Bar Association
• 1990-1994: Board of Directors, Youth Information Management Team
• 1990-1991: Board of Directors, Serious Habitual Offender Program

See also

• United States District Court for the District of Montana

External links

• "President Obama Nominates Three to Serve as District Court Judges" 5/23/2013

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	United States District Court for the District of Montana 2013-Present	Succeeded by -

Federal judges nominated by Barack Obama
Nominated	Federal judges nominated by Barack Obama

Montana courts

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Federal courts:

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Montana • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Montana

State courts:

Montana Supreme Court • Montana District Courts • Montana Courts of Limited Jurisdiction • Montana Water Court • Montana Workers' Compensation Court

State resources:

Courts in Montana • Montana judicial elections • Judicial selection in Montana