Watson Appointed to Shawnee County District Court

Teresa L. Watson, '94, a partner with the Topeka law firm of Fisher Patterson Sayler & Smith, LLP, was appointed by Gov. Sam Brownback to serve as a district court judge in Shawnee County. She graduated magna cum laude from Washburn University School of Law in 1994 and summa cum laude from Washburn University in 1991. "My education at Washburn Law prepared me well for a successful legal career," said Watson.

"My professors were excellent, and the opportunities available in the Law Clinic and through externships provided valuable real world experience. This experience helped me secure a job even before I graduated and passed the bar exam."

Watson expressed that she has always wanted to become a judge. She received special inspiration early in her career from Hon. J. Patrick Brazil, retired chief judge of the Kansas Court of Appeals. "I clerked for him immediately following my graduation from law school," said Watson. "He has served as a district court judge and as an appellate judge. He is the epitome of honesty, fairness, and integrity, and someone I greatly admire."

Watson’s legal practice has been in the areas of civil rights litigation, governmental liability and appellate practice. She has defended a number of complex civil rights cases against cities, counties, and other quasi-governmental entities in state and federal courts.

Accolades for Watson include being named to the list of Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Appellate Law, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Litigation – Municipal, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants; and the list of Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers® in the area of Appellate Law.

"I am honored to have been appointed to this position. I very much look forward to serving the citizens of the State of Kansas as a district court judge," added Watson.