Judge Vicki Ballou-Watts: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Vicki Ballou-Watts is an associate judge for the Baltimore County Circuit Court in the Third Judicial Circuit of Maryland. She joined the bench on May 29, 2002.

Ballou-Watts began her judicial career as an associate judge for the Baltimore County District Court in the Eighth District in 1999.

Before joining the bench, she managed her own private solo practice in Baltimore for twelve years (1987 to 1999). During that same time, Ballou-Watts spent time as a panel attorney for the Baltimore City Public Defender’s Office (1988 to 1999). She also practiced as an attorney in the Law Offices of Gerald A. Smith (1984 to 1987).

She has taught as a faculty member and instructor at the Maryland Judicial College.

Ballou-Watts received a B.A. in journalism from Howard University in 1980. She went on to complete a J.D. at the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1983. She was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1984.

Her memberships have included the American Bar Foundation (Fellow), the Maryland State Bar Association (Editorial Advisory Board Chair and Board of Governors), the Baltimore County Bar Association (past president), and the Baltimore County Bar Foundation (chair).

Ballou-Watts also sat as a member of the Maryland Judicial Conference Planning Committee, the Attorney Grievance Commission (Inquiry Panel), the Equal Justice Committee (chair, Community Outreach Subcommittee), the Judicial Council’s Court of Appeals Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Judicial Education Committee, and the Second Congressional District’s Armed Services Academy Nomination Panel.

She received the Leadership in Law Award (2011), The Daily Record Circle of Excellence (2009), the NAACP Trailblazer Award (2012), and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Social Action Award (2003).

Ballou-Watts was born in Montgomery, Alabama.