Derrick Williams, a seasoned attorney with a 23-year career spanning insurance defense, workers’ compensation adjudication, and plaintiff advocacy, has taken the helm of the Richland County Bar Association as its president. With a background that includes drafting statewide mediation rules and a commitment to community education, Williams aims to leave a lasting imprint on the organization representing roughly 2,000 lawyers in South Carolina’s capital region.
Williams, originally from Florence, South Carolina, moved to Columbia as a high school sophomore. He attended Dreher High School, where he ran cross country and track. He then attended the Honors College at the College of Charleston, graduating in 1999, before earning his law degree from the University of South Carolina in 2002. His legal career began at Collins & Lacy, a midsized firm, focusing on insurance defense, followed by a stint at national firm Nelson Mullins.
In a notable early achievement, Williams was appointed to the South Carolina Workers’
Derrick Williams is the third African-American to lead the Richland County Bar Association.
Compensation Commission at age 30, making him the second-youngest commissioner in the agency’s history. For six years, he served as a judge, gaining a broad perspective on workplace injury disputes.
“To be that young and do that job, I got to see a lot at a young age,” he recalled.
After leaving the commission, Williams transitioned to private practice, eventually joining the plaintiff side to represent injured workers. He spent a decade at McAngus Goudelock & Courie LLC before co-founding his current firm with partner Andrea Roach two years ago. Today,
Williams & Roache, LLC focuses on workers’ compensation and personal injury cases, often collaborating with other attorneys on car accident claims. A certified mediator, Williams takes particular pride in having drafted the mediation regulations for South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system in 2014—rules still in effect 11 years later.
Williams’ path to leadership of the Richland County Bar began six years ago when then-president Kristen Horn persuaded him to join the executive committee. Initially hesitant due to commitments on other boards, he relented after Horn emphasized the need for diverse perspectives.
“She pressed upon me that we want to make sure our bar is as diverse as it can be,” he recalled. Since then, he has served under multiple presidents, appreciating the collegiality of the group. “We all get along, and we do some very good projects,” he said.
As president, Williams oversees an organization with a rich mix of young attorneys, veteran practitioners, and local
judges. The bar hosts continuing legal education programs, social events like an annual outing to a Columbia Fireflies baseball game, and a judicial reception during the state judges’ conference. It also holds a solemn service to honor deceased members.
“Our main goal is to make sure we have good programming and resources where we can meet together, network, and provide educational training,” Williams explained.
Looking ahead, Williams has ambitious goals for his one-year term. A key priority is laying the groundwork for a new Richland County courthouse, a project he sees as vital for the capital city.
“Our courthouse has been well worn,” he said, citing security concerns and aesthetic wear. He plans to meet with county council members and collaborate with local leaders already fundraising for the initiative. While potential sites like the former Columbia Mall have been floated, Williams emphasized the need for a central location with ample parking.
Beyond infrastructure, Williams wants to reinforce the bar’s role in upholding the rule of law at a time when
public trust in legal systems feels strained.
“We as lawyers have a duty to ensure the rules still benefit the people they need to benefit,” he said.
Williams’ personal life complements his professional journey. His wife, also a USC Law graduate, transitioned from 14 years at Nelson Mullins to a role at the State Fiscal Accountability Authority, where she now directs strategic initiatives, including managing South Carolina’s opioid settlement funds. The couple met in law school, blending their legal careers with a shared commitment to public service.
As his term unfolds, Williams hopes to be remembered as a listener who advanced the bar’s mission.
“If people say I listened to the membership, tried to move us forward in a positive manner, and helped lay the groundwork for a new courthouse, I think I would have done my job,” he said.
With his varied experience and forward-looking agenda, Williams is poised to steer the Richland County Bar toward a future that balances tradition with innovation.
