Zuberi Williams Adjunct Professorial Lecturer Justice, Law & Criminology
- Degrees
- Texas Christian University (TCU) - BBA (2000);
Washington College of Law (СÀ¶ÊÓƵ/WCL) - JD (2003);
Kogod School Of Business (СÀ¶ÊÓƵ) - MBA - 2005; - Bio
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Judge Zuberi Bakari Williams is a distinguished American attorney and jurist. He is celebrated for his exceptional contributions to the legal profession and his unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the justice system. Born at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC, Williams was raised in a family of educators, instilling in him a profound sense of community, the value of education, and the importance of uplifting others.
Judge Williams’s early years were defined by academic excellence and active participation in extracurricular activities. He excelled academically and in leadership roles at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas. He earned a business degree from the Neely School Business, a top 25 ranked business school.
Motivated by his passion for the law, Williams pursued a Juris Doctor degree from СÀ¶ÊÓƵ’s Washington College of Law, where he earned accolades such as the Edward J. Walker Clinical Scholarship Award. He was also chosen by his peers to deliver the student commencement address. His pursuit of excellence continued as he obtained a MBA degree from СÀ¶ÊÓƵ’s Kogod School of Business, further enhancing his expertise in both law and business.
Upon completing his education, Williams embarked on an outstanding legal career. He served as a clerk for Chief Judge Robert M. Bell of Maryland’s highest court and later for U.S. District Federal District Court Judge Gerald Bruce Lee. Additionally, he worked as an attorney at Venable LLP, specializing in White Collar Crime. Driven by his dedication to justice and public service, Williams served as an Assistant Attorney General for the District of Columbia, handling diverse cases involving employment discrimination, personal injury, police assaults, and whistleblower claims.
Williams’s exemplary legal career reached unparalleled heights when he was appointed as an Associate Judge of the District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County in December 2015. Remarkably, at the age of 36, he became one of the youngest judges ever appointed in Maryland’s history, a testament to his legal acumen, integrity, and unwavering commitment to upholding justice.
Throughout his career, Judge Williams has been a steadfast advocate for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. He passionately addresses issues related to bias in the justice system and actively participates in initiatives focused on criminal justice reform. His advocacy extends beyond the courtroom, as he delivers impactful keynote speeches at prestigious conferences and events, emphasizing the vital importance of open-mindedness and fairness in the judicial process.
Recognized for his exceptional contributions, Judge Williams has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Leadership in Law Award, the VIP List of Most Successful by 40, and the National Bar Association’s 40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates award. His unwavering dedication to the legal profession and his community has left an indelible mark, establishing him as a respected and inspiring figure in the legal landscape.
He was appointed by former Governor Martin O'Malley in December 2014. He was later confirmed by the Maryland State Senate and sworn in on January 6, 2015.
At the age of 36, Williams became one of the youngest judges to be appointed in Maryland history.
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Teaching
Spring 2025
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JLC-468 Law and Popular Culture
Partnerships & Affiliations
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Maryland Judiciary
Associate Judge -
Pipeline to Practice
Special Advisor (Board of Directors)
Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities
Selected Publications
If Only We’re Brave Enough To Be It:Ìý How Judges, Law Enforcement, and Legislators Can Be the Light Against # LWB Incidents, 70ÌýAm. U. L. Rev. F.Ìý135 (2021).
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The Privacy Implications of DUI Refusals and Forced Blood Alcohol Tests: What Judges Can Do?, American Bar Association – Featured Article, 35 Sum Crim. Just. 27 (2020)
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How to Avoid the Top Three Pitfalls of ADR When Your Client Is a Non-English Speaker, American Bar Association, (Co-Authored) (2019)
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From Clerkship to Practice: Leaning on Your Clerkship to Avoid the Problems of Private Practice, American Bar Association, (Co-Authored) (2019)Ìý
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Because It Matters: A Tribute to the United States Judge Gerald Bruce Lee, 67 Am. U. L. Rev. 1509 (2018)
Honors, Awards, and Fellowships
- Maryland Daily Record’s Top Leader in the Law (2019)
- Maryland Daily Record's VIP List of Most successful by 40 (2018)
- 's 40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates (2018)
- Top 40 Under 40 Emerging Leader in the Washington Metropolitan (2017)
- ABA's Section on Litigation Judicial Internship Opportunity Program (JIOP) (2016)
- North Star Award from the Sylvania Woods African Americans in the Law Conference (2015)
- District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General's (OAG) Extra Mile Attorney Award (2008)
- Hariston Alumni Award by the Sylvania Woods African Americans in the Law Conference (2005)