Picture of Alexander Williams Jr.

Alexander Williams, Jr.

Partner

Judge Williams (retired) focuses his practice on complex civil litigation and federal criminal cases. With extensive experience presiding over thousands of complex civil litigation and federal criminal cases, Judge Williams is the only practicing retired federal judge in Maryland to advise clients on these matters.

Education

M.A.R.S.-Ethics, Temple University, 1995

M.A., Howard University School of Divinity, 1991

J.D., Howard University School of Law, 1973
Cum Laude

B.A., Howard University, 1970

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice Washington D.C., 1974
Maryland, 1973
Professional History

Judge Williams retired from the United States District Court for the District of Maryland on January 3, 2014. He has written over 7 volumes of published opinions and presided over 6,000 complex civil and 1,000 federal criminal cases. Some of his more recent published opinions included:

  • Hodge v. Stephens (D. Md. 2013): a motion to dismiss a variety of constitutional and state law claims against municipality, police department and officers for alleged unreasonable search and seizure.
  • International Waste Industries Corp v. Cape Environmental Management, Inc. (D. Md. 2013): a motion for summary judgment on claims of breach of contract, quantum meruit, unjust enrichment, detrimental reliance, and intentional misrepresentation.
  • Lanier-Finn v. Department of the Army (D. Md. 2013): a claim for administrative review of Department of the Army’s determination on pay and other benefits.
  • Lockheed Martin Corp. v. United States (D. Md. 2013): an opinion on pleading and tax procedure.
  • United States v. One 2007 Harley Davidson Street Glide Motorcycle VIN (D. Md. 2013): a civil forfeiture case.
  • Currie v. Wells Fargo Bank (D. Md. 2013): a mortgage fraud and breach of contract opinion.
  • Benahmed v. BAE Systems (D. Md. 2012): a motion to dismiss Title VII employment discrimination and retaliation claims.
  • Feldman v. Pro Football, Inc. D. Md. 2008): a hearing impaired lawsuit where Judge Williams ordered the Redskins to provide closed captioning of public announcements and music.
  • Audubon Naturalist Society of The Central Atlantic States et al. v. United States Department of Transportation et al. (D.Md.2007): an opinion upholding the environmental challenge to the Inter County Connector (Highway 200), a $2 billion dollar combined federal and state project.

Prior to his appointment to the federal bench by President Clinton in 1994, Judge Williams served Prince George’s County in Maryland in many capacities, including as State’s Attorney (elected for two terms), Public Defender, Special Counsel, Hearing Examiner, and as a Substitute Juvenile Master.


Judge Williams also had a successful career in private practice in Maryland and Washington DC. He is a founder, member and the first president of the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, Inc. and has served for many years as a professor at Howard University Law School. Judge Williams is recognized as a top attorney and has earned a perfect 10.0 "Superb" rating from Avvo, one of the most respected attorney rating services in the country.

Government and Judicial Service
  • 1994-2014: Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
  • 1987-1994: Elected State’s Attorney, Prince George's County, Maryland
  • 1975-1987: Municipal Attorney, Prince George's County, Maryland
  • 1977-1978: Assistant Public Defender, Prince George's County, Maryland
  • 1980-1987: Special Counsel and Hearing Examiner, Prince George's County Board of Education
Teaching Experience
  • 1991 - present Adjunct Professor, Howard University School of Law (courses taught--Public Ethics and Criminal Procedure)
  • 2017 - present Adjunct Professor at University of Maryland, College Park (course taught Honors Course: Achieving Justice and Equality in the 21th Century: Problems, Polices and Practice): Co-instructors.
  • 1986 – 1989 Professor of Law, Howard University School of Law
  • 1980 – 1986 Associate Professor, Howard University School of Law
  • 1978 – 1980 Assistant Professor, Howard University School of Law

(Subjects Taught: Municipal Law, Criminal Law, and Criminal Procedure, Business Organizations, Remedies, Civil Procedure, Public Service Ethics)

Honors/Awards/Appointments
  • 2018: Daily Record Icon Award
  • 2017: Governor’s Citation and Senate and House resolutions in recognition of 30 years of Public Service and founding of the Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. Center for Education, Justice and Ethics.
  • 2013: Judge James H. Taylor Award (Prince George’s County Bar Association)
  • 2009: Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Community Service
  • 2008: Distinguished Service Award
  • 2000: J Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, Inc.,
  • 1998: National Black Students Association
  • 1994: YMCA Commitment To Youth Award
  • 1994: Deans Award (Howard Law School) For Community Service
  • 1991: Honorary Degree, Doctor Of Humane Letters (Southeastern University)
  • 1987: Distinguished Service Award Howard University
Published Opinions

International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers v. United States, 934 F. Supp.2d 816 (D.Md.2013)

Daniels v. Housing Authority of Prince George’s county, 940 F. Supp. 2d 248 (D.Md.2013)

Advance Dental Care, Inc. v. Sun Trust Bank, 906 F. Supp.2d 442 (D.Md.2012)

Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. v. American Home Realty Network, Inc., 888 F. Supp. 2d 691 (D.Md.2012)

Hawkins v. Leggett, F.Supp.2d Civil Action No. 12-cv-00623 AW, 2013 WL 3218964 (D.Md. June 24, 2013)

Senior Executives Association v. United States, Civil Action No. 8:12-cv-02297-AW, 2013 WL 1316333 (D.Md.Mar.27, 2013)

Byrd v. Johnson, 467 B.R. 832 (D.Md.2012)

Doe v. Tenenbaum, 900 F. Supp.2d 572 (D.Md.2012)

StemCells, Inc. v. Neuralstem, Inc., Civil Action Nos. 8:06-cv-01877-AW, 8:08-cv-02664-AW, 8:08-cv-01173-AW,2012 WL 1184545 (D.Md.Apr. 6, 2012)

Fletcher v. Lamone, 831 F. Supp. 2d 887 (D.Md.2011) (Williams, J., concurring)

Feldman v. Pro Football, Inc., 579 F. Supp. 2d 697 (D.Md. 2008)

Audubon Naturalist Society of The Central Atlantic States et al. v. United States Department of Transportation et al., 524 F. Supp. 2d 642 (D.Md.2007)

Professional, Commission Service and Association Memberships

Board of Directors of The University of Maryland Capital Region Hospital
Member Since: 2019 - Present
Board Chairman

Commission to Investigate the Culture of the University of Maryland Football Program
Member Since: 2018
Member of an 8 member commission

Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission
Member Since: 2015 - Present
Chair

University of Maryland Medical System
Member Since: 2015 - Present
Member of the Board

Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. Center for Education, Justice and Ethics
Member Since: 2013 - Present
Founder and Executive Director

Emergency Commission on Sixth Congressional District Gerrymandering
Member Since: 2018 - 2019

Commission to Restore Integrity in Policing
Member Since: 2018 - 2019

Member, Merit Selection Panel to Select, U.S. Magistrate
Member Since: 1985

Maryland Redistricting Reform Commission
Member Since: 2015 - 2018
Co-Chair

District Judges Association of the Fourth Judicial Circuit
Member Since: 2009 - 2010
President

Maryland State's Attorneys' Association
Member Since: 1989-1994
Vice President

(Maryland State) Handgun Roster Board
Member Since: 1993 - 1994
Member

American Heart Association, Southern Maryland Division
Member Since: 1990 – 1991
President

Student Suspension Monitoring Committee, Prince George's County Public School System
Member Since: 1987 - 1989
Chairman

Greater Laurel-Beltsville Hospital
Member Since: 1985 - 1987
Board of Directors

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Member Since: 1986 - 1987
Chairman

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Member Since: 1983 - 1985
Commissioner (vice chairman)

Maryland State Commission on Medical Discipline (Appointed by Governor Harry Hughes)
Member Since: 1980 -1985
Commissioner

Human Relations Commission Prince George's County, Maryland
Member Since: 1978 - 1981
Commissioner