austinbar.org MAY 2016 | VOLUME 25, NUMBER 4
Judge Williams Hopes to Foster Balance and Respect at New Travis County Court at Law #9
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n March 31, 2016, the Honorable Kim Williams was sworn in as judge of the newly created Travis County Criminal Court at Law #9. Williams is an Austin native – she lives here with her husband and newborn child. After graduating from St. Mary’s University School of Law, she became licensed in Texas in 2006. Her legal career began that
including the Austin Bar Association, Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association, Green Doors (an organization dedicated to preventing and helping end homelessness), and many more. Williams was guided from a young age by the ideal instilled by her father, a criminal defense attorney, about the importance of fairness in the criminal justice system.
Williams was guided from a young age by the ideal instilled by her father, a criminal defense attorney, about the importance of fairness in the criminal justice system. year at the Travis County Attorney’s Office as an Assistant County Attorney. She transitioned in 2007 to the Travis County District Attorney’s office. “I have handled almost every type of criminal offense, ranging from traffic tickets to murder charges,” said Williams. “I have particular experience prosecuting domestic violence and child abuse cases, fighting to protect vulnerable women and children in Travis County.” Committed to both the legal and Central Texas communities, Williams belongs to a number of professional and non-profit organizations,
“He and his friends and colleagues taught me how imperative it is for everyone accused of a crime to get competent representation and equal treatment under the law regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or income level,” said Williams. While her previous experience comes from being a prosecutor, she respected and learned from her father and other criminal defense attorneys. Having had the exposure to prosecution as well as defense, she is looking forward to bringing a balanced perspective to the bench. “I have had the privilege of working with Judge Williams during
TOP: Judge Elisabeth Earle swears in Judge Kim Williams; ABOVE: Margaret Moore was among the standing room only crowd to attend the investiture ceremony
her public service as a prosecutor, and I have admired her intellect, her integrity, and her commitment to justice,” said Judge Elizabeth Earle, County Court at Law #7. As a judge, respect will be a priority for Williams. She hopes both
to protect the rights of the accused and seek justice for victims, while approaching all cases from a human perspective. “It’s about human beings who deserve toAUSTIN be treatedLAWYER fairly and with dignity,” said Williams. AL AL