Mr. Williams was graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1960 and the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1964.  He is a member of the American Bar Association, South Carolina Bar, and Richland County Bar Association (President 2002).  He is also a member of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, Defense Trial Lawyers Association, American Judicature Society, and the International Society of Barristers.

He recieved the University of South Carolina James Petigru Compleat Lawyer award for professional excellence in 2001.

In 1989, Mr. Williams was elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates, an organization whose membership is restricted to lawyers who have completed at least 50 jury trials.  He has been a National Director since 1989; National Secretary 1991-1993; recipient of its Masters in Trial award in 1995; founder and trustee of its allied foundation; National Vice-President 1998, National President-elect in 1999, and National President in 2000.

Mr. Williams has been a continuing legal education speaker; has appeared in over forty trial demonstrations in more than thirty states; and has authored articles for legal publications.  He is a past board member of The Workshop Theatre, Columbia Ballet, Kitani Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, The Red Cross, and The S. C. Aquarium Commission.  He is the present Chairman of the U.S.C. School of Public Health Partnership Board; past Chairman and present life member of the Salvation Army Board; past Chairman of the Columbia Housing Board; present life member of Columbia Art Association and member of The Columbia Museum Board of Visitors; past Vestryman and Canvass Chairman of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.  He was an organizational board member of the S.C. Chamber Orchestra; and past-President of the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra which he serves as General Counsel.