To many younger attorneys, Leonard L. Williams is just a name on the Courthouse at 5th and King Streets in Wilmington. The Bar Journal Editors reached out to a few of the attorneys who knew him and thought it might be nice to provide some historical information and personal insights into the complex lawyer and judge who has the distinction of being the second Black judicial officer in Delaware history.
Leonard L. Williams BY CHARLES H. TOLIVER IV, ESQUIRE AND KESTER I. CROSSE, ESQUIRE
Charles H. Toliver IV, Esquire My first recollection of Leonard L. Williams, Esquire, who subsequently became known to me as “Judge Williams,” was because of a telephone call I made to his home during my first year in law school, 1972-1973. I called because of what I perceived as a possible conflict of interest in a matter involving my parents who were clients of his. I do not recall the specifics, but I recall that he listened to me patiently, chuckled slightly and, in an indulgent tone, said that he understood my concern. He went on to indicate that he would eliminate the conflict if it became an issue, again chuckling ever so slightly. Well, the problem never materialized, and I was left with the feeling that he was amused by the fact that a first-year legal puppy had the temerity to bark at the biggest dog, at least to me, in a profes24
DSBA Bar Journal | www.dsba.org
sional that I would one day join. I think that is why he took a liking to me and became my friend as well as my mentor. Judge Williams greatest influence was to instill in me a sense of personal and professional pride in what I did and the way I performed in the practice of law. He constantly impressed upon me that I was as good, if not better, than those who opposed us. However, that meant that we had to be more prepared than what others might deem appropriate under the same circumstances. We required to present a first-class work product no matter who was on the other side. Interestingly enough, he was just as concerned that we were sympathetic and understanding of the socio-economic status of a substantial number of our clients who were not sophisticated or well-educated and demanded that we advocate even more
strenuously on their behalf, particularly if the matter went to trial. Judge Williams was the second or third child from a family of sixteen children born and raised on the lower westside of Wilmington. How his mother and father managed that feat as poor and underserved by society as they were, was a testament to work ethic and perseverance during times when opportunities were limited by race, economics and/or ethnicity. Notwithstanding the challenges they faced as a family, Judge Williams was an outstanding student and athlete at the then segregated Howard High School. He went on to become one of the first Black graduates of the University of Delaware and was the first Black member of the football team. He graduated Georgetown University School of Law in
Illustration: Mark S. Vavala
FEATURE
