The Honorable Michael H. Watson

Judge Watson was confirmed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on October 1, 2004.  Prior to his appointment, Judge Watson served on the Tenth District Court of Appeals in Franklin County and the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.  During his last three years on the trial court, he served as Administrative Judge.  Previously, Judge Watson served as Chief Counsel to Governor Voinovich and as Deputy Chief Counsel to the Governor and Chief Counsel for the Ohio Department of Commerce.

After service in the United States Air Force and the Ohio National Guard, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University in 1983 and his Juris Doctor degree from Capital University Law School in 1987.  While in law school, Judge Watson served as bailiff and law clerk to Judge Tommy L. Thompson, the trial court judge whom he was appointed to succeed.