James D. (Butch) Williams

JAMES D. (BUTCH) WILLIAMS, JR
JD
James D. (BUTCH) Williams, Jr. is the Senior Partner of The Law Offices of James D. Williams, Jr. P.A.

He was born on August 21, 1954 in Washington, D.C. He attended parochial schools in Washington and graduated from Archbishop John Carroll High School in May of 1972. He continued his education by attending North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in May, 1976.

He entered North Carolina Central’s Law School in the fall of 1976. While there he set himself aside by winning many intramural and national intercollegiate competitions for Trial Advocacy and Moot Court. He graduated in 1979 and immediately sat and passed the North Carolina Bar Exam.
He was admitted to practice law in August, 1979. He then put his civilian law practice on hold to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps. He served in the USMC both as an infantry officer as well as a noted judge advocate. He was discharged from the USMC as a captain in February 1983 wherein he returned to Durham, N.C. and joined mentor, Kenneth B. Spaulding, in the practice of law.

In, 1996 he opened his own law practice under the name of The Law Offices of James D. Williams, Jr., P.A. where he has employed and trained over 12 lawyers and numerous staff person in the area of Federal and State trial advocacy. His primary practice areas are criminal law, both State and Federal, as well as sports law and entertainment law.

Some of his noted participation has been in the Duke Lacrosse case, Michael Vick’s criminal case, Joe Brewer’s corruption case, as well as the Wesley Snipes tax case.

In the sports law area, he has distinguished himself as a sports agent and lecturer on different areas of sports and entertainment law. Most notably, he has represented 10 top draft picks in both the NFL and the NBA. Overall, he has represented 10 Pro Bowl players.

He has been an adjunct professor of law at North Carolina Central University School of Law where he teaches Trial Practice and Sports Law for over 25 years.

He is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Visitors for the School of Law and a member of the Foundation Board, both at North Carolina Central University.

He is married to Sherron Hayes and has 3 children, Marshall, Jamie and Olivia.

 

Bar Admissions:
North Carolina, 1979

Education:
North Carolina Central University
Bachelor of Arts, 1976

North Carolina Central University School of Law
Juris Doctor, 1979