Judith Guthrie retired in 2013 after 27 years as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Texas.    She began her legal career with the Bracewell Law Firm from 1975 until 1981 when she took a leave of absence to clerk for the chief judge of the Court of Appeals in Tyler.  Instead of returning to Houston after her clerkship, Judith formed a partnership with her late husband John Hannah (Hannah & Guthrie) and was in private practice until her judicial appointment in 1986.  She did her undergraduate work at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.  Her first job after college was as an editor with The American Council on Education in Washington, D.C. before moving to Texas.  She received her law degree from the University of Houston.  Besides her involvement in many bar associations and professional organizations, she is a community volunteer.

She currently serves on the boards of The Women’s Fund of Smith County and The Literacy Council. She is active with Habitat for Humanity having served on its board for two terms and still serves on its development committee.  For her many beautification projects in Tyler, Keep Texas Beautiful awarded her its outstanding individual leadership award in 2006.  She was named Preservationist of the Year in Tyler in 2012 by Historic Tyler.  She is a founding board member of Gateway to Hope, a day resource center for the homeless.  She is a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church and is married to Matthew Watson, a graphic designer and inventor.