- Attorney Bio

Alexander Williams, Jr.

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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.

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 the 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
• 1980-1987: Special Counsel and Hearing Examiner, Prince George's County Board of Education
• 1977-1978: Assistant Public Defender, Prince George's County, Maryland
• 1975-1987: Municipal Attorney, Prince George's County, Maryland

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 (courses taught- Honors Course: Achieving Justice and Equality in the 21st 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)

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)

Honors and Awards

• 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: Dean's Award (Howard Law School) For Community Service
• 1991: Honorary Degree, Doctor Of Humane Letters (Southeastern University)
• 1987: Distinguished Service Award, Howard University