Pollock Begg Partner Joseph R. Williams Named Allegheny County Bar Association President
July 01, 2021 | Press Releases
PITTSBURGH — Joseph R. Williams, a partner in downtown Pittsburgh family law firm Pollock Begg, takes office as the 113th president of the Allegheny County Bar Association, effective today.
Williams will serve a one-year term, presiding over the ACBA’s governance; representing the ACBA in regional, statewide and national legal matters; speaking on behalf of the association to the community-at-large; and serving as a steward to the ACBA’s sections, committees and divisions.
Comprised of nearly 6,000 members, the ACBA promotes a just, accessible and inclusive judicial system. ACBA serves the legal profession and community by fostering a culture of ethics and professionalism, championing equality and diversity, supporting equal access to legal services and enhancing the success of members through education, networking, leadership and professional development opportunities.
“We are incredibly proud that one of our own has been elected by our peers to represent the Allegheny County legal community,” said fellow Pollock Begg Partner Candice L. Komar. “The Pollock Begg team sees Joe’s ability to bring people together and tackle tough challenges every day and we know the ACBA will benefit from his energetic and enthusiastic leadership.”
Williams, 37, is one of the youngest attorneys elected to this prestigious position in the 151-year history of the ACBA. A respected litigator who also is certified in collaborative law, he’s served the ACBA in numerous capacities throughout his career.
Williams was ACBA president-elect from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, served on the ACBA Board of Governors from 2017-20, was past chair of the ACBA Young Lawyers Division and served as program chair of ACBA’s Bench Bar Conference in 2019. In 2017, he received the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award honoring a member of the ACBA who has practiced law for less than 10 years and distinguished himself through service to the association, community involvement and professional excellence.
One of Williams’ chief goals for his presidency is to build upon recent strides the ACBA has made in advancing diversity and inclusion efforts, establishing a certificate program to recognize law firms that commit to hiring and promotion practices which enhance diversity and participate in bar-sponsored activities promoting gender and racial equality. He also will immediately establish an ad hoc committee to understand and meet attorneys’ changing needs in the post-COVID world.
“It’s a great privilege to have the opportunity to work closely with so many skilled attorneys and I couldn’t be more honored to lead our efforts to advance the legal community on a number of fronts over the next year,” Williams said.
Recognized for excellence from the outset of his career, Williams has been named to the Best Lawyers in America list since 2018, recognized in family law, arbitration and family law mediation. He’s earned recognition on the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars list since 2012 and was named a Lawyer on the Fast Track by The Legal Intelligencer in 2013.
A proven leader and an energetic force on the Pittsburgh legal scene, Williams also is active in the Pennsylvania Bar Association, having served as a member of the PBA Family Law Section Council and as Family Law Section program chair in 2019. Joe previously represented Allegheny County on the executive council of the PBA Young Lawyers Division.
Williams currently resides in Shadyside and is a native of Lore City in southeastern Ohio.
About Pollock Begg
A progressive and powerful influencer in the legal marketplace, Pittsburgh-based Pollock Begg focuses on innovative, team-oriented solutions to resolve domestic relations matters. Driving legal expectations in the industry, the family law attorneys at Pollock Begg serve in numerous leadership positions within local, state, and national matrimonial law organizations and are encouraged to participate in pro bono work, volunteer initiatives and community endeavors. Founded in 2001, Pollock Begg has been recognized 10 times as a top-tier law firm by U.S. News and World Report. For more information, visit pollockbegg.com.
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