Shirley M. Watts

Summary

Shirley Marie Watts (born March 6, 1959)[1] is an American lawyer and jurist from Baltimore, Maryland. Since July 2013, she has served as a Judge on the Maryland Court of Appeals, the state's highest court. Watts is the first African American woman to serve as a judge on the Court of Appeals.[1] Prior to her appointment, she was a judge on the Maryland Court of Special Appeals from 2011 to 2013 and an associate judge on the Baltimore City Circuit Court from 2002 to 2011.[2]

Shirley M. Watts
Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland
Assumed office
July 31, 2013
Appointed byMartin O'Malley
Preceded byRobert M. Bell
Judge of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals
In office
January 27, 2011 – July 31, 2013
Appointed byMartin O'Malley
Preceded byArrie W. Davis
Succeeded byMichael W. Reed
Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City
In office
February 5, 2002 – January 26, 2011
Appointed byParris Glendening
Preceded byKathleen O'Ferrall Friedman
Succeeded byJeannie J. Hong
Personal details
Born (1959-03-06) March 6, 1959 (age 65)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
EducationHoward University (BA)
Rutgers University (JD)

Born in Baltimore, Watts received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University in 1980. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers School of Law in 1983.[2] On July 3, 2013, Governor Martin O'Malley nominated Watts to fill the seat of retired Chief Judge Robert M. Bell on the Court of Appeals, representing the 6th Appellate Circuit (Baltimore City).[3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Cox, Erin (July 3, 2013). "Women to lead state's highest court". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Shirley M. Watts, Judge, Maryland Court of Appeals". msa.maryland.gov. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  3. ^ "O'Malley appoints Barbera as chief judge of Court of Appeals, elevates Watts". thedailyrecord.com. July 2, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.

External links edit

  • Biography at Maryland State Archives
Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals
2013–present
Incumbent