Maria M. Cabret

Professional career

• 2006 – Retired from the trial bench, became Senior Judge, then appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
• Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a position she assumed on December 18, 2006 after being nominated by Governor Charles W. Turnbull and unanimously confirmed by the Twenty-Sixth Legislature.
• 1999 – Appointed Presiding Judge of the Territorial Court, the first woman, first Crucian, and first person of Puerto Rican descent to hold that role
• 1994 – Designated Administrative Judge of the Territorial Court, St. Croix Division
• Judicial Appointments: 1987 – Nominated by Governor Alexander A. Farrelly as Judge of the Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands; sworn July 7, 1987, becoming the second woman and first person of Puerto Rican descent on the Territorial Court
• Associate Justice Maria M. Cabret is a judge of the Supreme Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands, recognized for her decades of judicial service, administrative leadership, and historic milestones in the territory’s legal system
• Over 19 years on the trial bench, Cabret authored numerous opinions on complex legal issues, presided over multi-party mass asbestos litigation in St. Croix, and was frequently designated as an appellate court judge on the Appellate Division of the District Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands

Education

Additional information

• Early Career: Born in Frederiksted, St. Croix, Cabret obtained a B.A. from Marymount Manhattan College (1971) and a J.D. from Howard University School of Law (1978).
• She continues to preside over cases in the Virgin Islands’ highest court.
• Began as a law clerk for Judge Raymond L. Finch at the Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands, then worked for Legal Services of the Virgin Islands and the Office of the Territorial Public Defender before entering private practice in insurance defense, personal injury, and commercial litigation.