Honorable Debra S. Watlington
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court
Administrator of Courts, Regina Petersen wishes to advise the public and the
members of the Virgin Islands Bar Association that in accordance with the
provisions of 4 V. I. C. § 71 (c), the Honorable Debra S. Watlington, has been
designated the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. In
accordance with law, the Presiding Judge is designated from alternating districts for
a term of three years. The selection is made in order of seniority, based upon
continuous length of service as a judge on the Superior Court and the judicial
officer’s willingness to serve in this leadership capacity.
The Judiciary is pleased that Presiding Judge Watlington has accepted this charge,
just the second woman to serve in this capacity since the inception of the court.
Presiding Judge Watlington was first nominated by the Honorable John P. de
Jongh, Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, to serve a six-year term as a
Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands in 2012 and confirmed by the 29th
Legislature of the Virgin Islands. In 2018, Judge Watlington was renominated to
serve a second 6-year term as Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands by
the Honorable Albert A. Bryan Jr., Governor of the Virgin Islands, and confirmed
by the 32nd Legislature.