From 1988 to 1989, she served as a law clerk to Diane Barz on the Thirteenth Judicial District Court of Montana.[3] From 1989 to 1995, she served as a Deputy County Attorney in Yellowstone County, Montana.[2] From 1995 to 1996 she was a sole practitioner focusing on criminal defense.[3] From 1996 to 1998, she practiced both civil and criminal litigation at the law firm of Hendrickson, Everson, Noennig & Woodward, P.C. in Billings, Montana. From 1998 to 2013, she served as a judge of the Thirteenth Judicial District Court of Montana.[4][5]
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.[6] She was confirmed later that day by a 77–19 vote.[7] She received her judicial commission on December 18, 2013.[5]
At the time of Watters's appointment, Montana had two of the three active judge seats vacant.[8] The inability to review cases created a significant backlog. Brian Morris was confirmed shortly before Morris for the Great Falls location.[8]
On January 31, 2024, Watters denied a motion to dismiss a charge under the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act as unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.[9]
Personal life
Watters was previously known as Susan Pamela Dunn, Susan Pamela Elsberry and Susan Pamela Klein.[2]
