Respected attorney running for Court of Common Pleas
Published on 1/24/2007
Respected Pittsburgh trial lawyer Joe Williams has announced his candidacy for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. Williams, who has more than 20 years experience, specializing in real estate development, contracts, international transactions, estates &trusts and criminal law.
JOE WILLIAMS
“The time is right for me to seek election to the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County,” he said. “Since an African-American has not presided over a criminal trial in that court for more than a decade, I have done a lot of soul-searching and have decided to give this campaign everything I have. I offer up my legal experience and community service as a solid foundation to serve effectively and fairly as Judge. The decision will rest with the voters of Allegheny County.”
Williams was nominated by Gov. Edward Rendell to the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court bench vacancy left by the retirement of the late Judge Walter R. Little last June 19. He was voted as one of America’s best lawyers by his peers in the February, 2006, issue of Pittsburgh Magazine. In 2000, Williams received the Homer S. Brown Outstanding Attorney Award and in 2001 was elected president of the Homer S. Brown Law Association. Attorney Williams has served on the Boards of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, Negro Education Emergency Drive and the NAACP.
Williams also served with distinction on the Executive Board of the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Sports and Exhibition Authority from February 2001 through 2004. During his term, Heinz Field, PNC Park and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center were established. He drafted the definitive report on MBE/WBE participation during the development of the three sites, leading to new state legislation.
A Pittsburgh native, born and raised in Manchester, Williams, along with his three brothers and two sisters, graduated from the Pittsburgh public schools. After completing his sophomore year in high school, he won a scholarship which allowed him to attend Yale University during his junior and senior year of high school.