Shirley M. Watts

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.[2]

Honorable Shirley M. Watts
Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals
Incumbent
Assumed office July 31, 2013
Nominated by	Martin O'Malley
Preceded by	Robert M. Bell
Judge, Maryland Court of Special Appeals
In office January 27, 2011 – July 31, 2013
Nominated by	Martin O'Malley
Judge, Circuit Court for Baltimore City
In office February 5, 2002 – January 26, 2011
Nominated by	Parris Glendening
Personal details
Born	March 6, 1959 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Alma mater	Howard University Rutgers School of Law–Camden

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–Camden 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

1. Cox, Erin (July 3, 2013). "Women to lead state's highest court". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
2. "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

• Biography at Maryland State Archives