Ann C. Williams (from the October, 1991 evaluation)

Judge Williams, 41, was appointed by President Reagan in 1985, on the recommendation of Senator Percy. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1975. Judge Williams was an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1976 to 1985, where she was a supervisory prosecutor. She served as chief of the Midwest Regional Drug Task Force from 1983 to 1984.

Judge Williams has already become a very good judge. She is firm, fair, bright, and very hard-working. She has unquestioned integrity.

Judge Williams was appointed to the bench at a very young age. She did not have significant civil experience, and her early work reflected indecisiveness in, and lack of familiarity with, civil matters. Most lawyers believe she has now overcome this problem, although there are still a few reports of lack of knowledge in some complex substantive areas.

Judge Williams had extensive criminal trial experience before becoming a judge. This has served her well, and she has excellent ability to conduct all types of trials. She treats all sides fairly, and is excellent with a jury. While some lawyers consider Judge Williams to be somewhat pro-Government in criminal matters, the overall view is that she is fair.

Judge Williams is usually very business-like on the bench, and there are occasional reports of her becoming testy with lawyers. There is no suggestion, however, that her temperament is a problem.

Judge Williams has, at a young age, already become a very good judge. If she continues to work as hard as she has in the past, and her substantive knowledge of the law continues to grow, the Council expects that she will become one of the truly superior members of the Court over the next decade.