S.A. "Bud" Watson, Jr.

Profile by Jennifer L. McKown

Bud Watson is one of the main reasons I wanted to join this law firm. After law school, I clerked for a Circuit Judge and I had an opportunity to observe all the trial firms in the area and most of the top gun trial lawyers. Near the end of my clerkship, the Judge I worked with advised me to seek employment with a trial firm and Hornsby, Watson, Hornsby & Blackwell was his strong recommendation. The things he mentioned and I personally observed were preparation, competence and results.

Bud was lead trial lawyer in most of the firms’ cases and he was the best of the best. I wanted to join this firm and learn from him. When I found out that Bud Watson had been on the Trial Advocacy Training faculty at Louisiana State University (LSU) for years, I knew he could not only do it—he could teach me to do it.

My first week in this firm I was in Court in a jury trial. I made the opening statement and closing arguments. Bud said I needed to be me—to be honest and be myself, tell the truth and I would be believed. I have heard him tell hundreds of clients the same thing. We won our case. And, there have been other wins since that day.

It’s been easy to accept what Bud has suggested. He had such range of experience and he’s been successful from early in his career. Bud attended undergraduate school at Harding University in Arkansas and LSU-Monroe. Bud graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1966. He too clerked for a Judge. After his clerkship he became an Assistant District Attorney and, less than one year later, he was promoted to Chief Assistant District Attorney. He was 26 years old. Because of success in that role he was elected without opposition as a District Judge at age 29. Two years later he was promoted to Circuit Judge. He was 31. Judge Watson served until retirement in good standing at age 45. He served by special appointment on cases as a Judge on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. He also served as a Special Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. In those cases he authored the Court’s opinions. Bud is a graduate of the National Judicial College and was later a Faculty Adviser there.

Following retirement from the bench Bud returned to the ranks and further distinguished himself as a trial attorney. Because Bud has worked in approximately 650 jury trials either as a judge, prosecutor or civil trial attorney, he has been able to give me insights into trial strategies I could never have obtained elsewhere.

Bud is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama.  He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.  Bud is a member of the Alabama State Bar, the Huntsville-Madison County Bar Association, the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, the Federal Bar Association, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Bud has been married to Wanda for 39 years. They have two children and four gorgeous grandchildren.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be a member of this outstanding firm and to work closely with my friend, partner, and mentor, Bud Watson.