Ann Claire Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ann Williams
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| Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit | |
| In office June 5, 2017 – January 16, 2018 |
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| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit | |
| In office November 15, 1999 – June 5, 2017 |
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| Appointed by | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Walter J. Cummings Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Amy St. Eve |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois | |
| In office April 4, 1985 – November 15, 1999 |
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| Appointed by | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | Joan Lefkow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 16, 1949 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent |
| Education | Wayne State University (BS) University of Michigan (MA) University of Notre Dame (JD) |
Ann Claire Williams, born on August 16, 1949, is a well-known American judge. She used to work as a judge for two important courts: the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. After retiring from her judge roles, she now works as a special advisor at a law firm called Jones Day.
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Ann Williams' Early Life and Education
Ann Williams was born in Detroit, Michigan. Her parents, Dorothy and Joshua Williams, were both teachers in public schools. She first earned a degree in elementary education from Wayne State University. Later, she received a master's degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Michigan.
Ann Williams' Path to Law
Before she became a lawyer, Ann Williams taught students in Detroit's public schools. She then decided to study law and earned her law degree from Notre Dame Law School. This education helped her start her career in the legal field.
Ann Williams' Professional Career
After finishing law school, Ann Williams began her career by working for a judge. She was a law clerk for Judge Robert A. Sprecher at the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She was one of the first two African-American women to work as a law clerk at that court.
Working as a Prosecutor
After her clerkship, Ann Williams worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in Chicago for nine years. In this role, she handled many important criminal cases. She was the first woman of color to become a supervisor in that office. She was later promoted to lead different parts of the criminal division. In 1983, she became the first chief of the Organized Drug Enforcement Task Force. This job involved organizing federal investigations and prosecutions across five states.
Teaching Law
Ann Williams also shared her knowledge by teaching law. Starting in 1979, she was a professor at Northwestern University School of Law and John Marshall Law School. Even after becoming a judge, she continued to teach about trial advocacy. She taught at law schools in Chicago and at Harvard Law School. She has also taught in many programs that help lawyers learn how to argue cases in court.
Ann Williams' Federal Judicial Service
Ann Williams served as a United States district judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She held this position from 1985 to 1999.
Appointment to District Court
President Ronald Reagan nominated her for this role on March 13, 1985. The Senate approved her nomination on April 3, 1985. She officially started her work as a judge on April 4, 1985. Her appointment was very important because she was the first woman judge of color to serve on a district court in the Seventh Circuit area, which includes three states.
Moving to the Court of Appeals
On August 5, 1999, President Bill Clinton nominated Ann Williams for a higher position. She was chosen to fill a spot on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. The Senate unanimously approved her nomination on November 10, 1999. This made her the first judge of color on the Seventh Circuit. She was also the third woman of color to serve on any United States Court of Appeals. She officially started this new role on November 15, 1999.
Retirement from the Bench
Ann Williams took on a "senior status" role on June 5, 2017. This means she worked a reduced schedule. She then fully retired from her judicial duties on January 16, 2018.
Supreme Court Consideration
In 2009 and 2010, some news outlets mentioned Ann Williams as a possible candidate for the Supreme Court. This is the highest court in the United States.
Ann Williams' Awards and Recognition
Ann Williams has received several important awards for her work.
Margaret Brent Award
In 2008, the American Bar Association gave her the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award. This award recognizes women lawyers who have shown great leadership and made significant contributions to the legal profession.
Edward J. Devitt Award
In 2010, Ann Williams received the 28th Annual Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award. This award is given to U.S. federal judges who have had outstanding careers. It recognizes their important contributions to how justice is managed, how the rule of law is advanced, and how society is improved.
Ann Williams' Political Views
In a newspaper article from 1999, Ann Williams described herself as politically independent. She did not say if she was a Republican or a Democrat. She explained that her decisions as a judge are based on the law, not on political parties. She said, "I've written on thousands of cases across the board, and I think it would be hard to type me." She also stated that she would always remember her background and let her "humanity" guide her.
See also
- Barack Obama Supreme Court candidates
- List of African-American federal judges
- List of African-American jurists
- List of first women lawyers and judges in Illinois
