News

State Law Librarian appointed by Legislature

May 6, 2009

The Mississippi House of Representatives and the Mississippi Senate in a joint session today appointed attorney Amanda Tyre Watson as State Law Librarian.

Watson, 32, of Jackson, was recommended by the Mississippi Supreme Court.

Sen David Blount of Jackson nominated Watson during a joint session of the House and Senate. Sen. Blount said, “She is eminently qualified and comes highly recommended.” The State Law Librarian is recommended by the Supreme Court and elected by a joint vote of the House and Senate.

Watson said afterwards, “I’m excited to be confirmed. I’m ready to get to work.”

Watson will oversee the state law library, which is located in the Gartin Justice Building in Jackson. Known officially as the State Library, the law library is a specialized public library which provides legal research materials for the judiciary, state agencies, lawyers, students and the general public.

Watson replaces Charlie Pearce, who recently accepted a position as head of the library system of the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Watson, who grew up in New Albany, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mississippi University for Women. She earned her law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law and was admitted to the bar in 2001. She earned a Master of Information Studies in library science from Florida State in 2006.

Watson served as a law clerk for former Court of Appeals Chief Judge Roger McMillin 2001-2002. She taught legal research at Tougaloo College and at Florida State University. She also served as a teaching assistant while a student at the University of Mississippi School of Law.

Watson worked in private law practice for the firm of James and Associates in Ridgeland 2002-2003. She served as manager of information services and law librarian for the law firm of Phelps Dunbar, LLP from 2003 until she assumed the duties of state law librarian.

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