Susan P. Watters

Susan Pamela Watters (born June 8, 1958) is an American attorney serving as a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Montana. She is the first female judge to serve in the District of Montana.

Early life and education

Watters was born in 1958, in Billings, Montana. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980 from Eastern Montana College. She then received a Juris Doctor in 1988 from the University of Montana School of Law.

Federal judicial service

On May 23, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Watters to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Montana. This was to fill the seat in Billings vacated by Judge Richard F. Cebull, who took senior status on March 18, 2013. Her nomination was reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 19, 2013. Cloture was invoked on her nomination on December 12, 2013, by a 58–39 vote. She was confirmed later that day by a 77–19 vote. She received her judicial commission on December 18, 2013. The inability to review cases created a significant backlog. Brian Morris was confirmed shortly before Morris for the Great Falls location.