Robert L. Williams Jr.
Robert L. Williams Jr.
District: County Judge
Comments
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
Robert L. Williams Jr. slipped a few spots in The Ledger's biennial survey of local lawyers.
He ranked eighth among Polk's 10 county judges, with an overall rating of 7.29 out of 10. In 2008, Williams was ranked fifth with an overall rating of 7.60.
This year, Williams' best individual category was a rating of 7.58 for professional conduct. His lowest was 7.13 for legal ability.
The majority of lawyers described Williams as an industrious jurist.
'Best county court judge on the bench,' one lawyer wrote. 'He is fair, hardworking, knowledgeable, and is a man of principle and faith.'
Some were critical, saying Williams was 'too harsh on criminal defendants' and was a 'prosecutor in a black robe.'
Others complained 'his lectures slow court down.'
'Bright, very conscientious,' one wrote. 'Talks too much.'
'Great judge, however, has some social worker qualities that need to go away,' another wrote.
Williams said the survey can offer some insight and feedback for judges to consider.
'I would like to improve all the time,' he said.
He suggested the talkative comments might relate to his previous role as a judge overseeing cases involving mental health and drug court.
His current assignment handling brief first-appearance hearings for numerous criminal defendants doesn't leave room for chitchat.
Williams, 52, earned his law degree from Nova Southeastern University.
He worked as an assistant public defender for about two years before going into private practice for 21 years.
Williams was appointed to the county bench in 2006 by Gov. Jeb Bush.
He and his wife, Karen, live in Lake Wales and have two sons.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.29 | 7.13 | 7.26 | 7.21 | 7.58 |
Comments
Future circuit judge material.
Another great addition to the county bench.
Outstanding young judge. Excellent communications. Takes time to listen. Extraordinary feel for justice.
Excellent judge.
Very professional.
Great judge, however, has some social worker qualities that need to go away.
Tries very hard to do the right thing but his lectures slow court down.
Best county court judge on the bench. He is fair, hard working, knowledgeable and is a man of principle and faith.
A super nice guy and doing an above average job.
Bright, very conscientious. Talks too much.
Tries hard to do a good job.
Lazy to a fault.
Good, fair, reasonable.
Could be one of the best judges we have. Has a tendency to be pro prosecution.
Talks too much on each case.
Too rigid and inflexible. Too harsh on criminal defendants.
At one time he had my respect as fair, but now just a prosecutor in a black robe. Too bad.
Poor.
Is very professional. Is very conscientious of the law and attempts to follow it.
Another great addition to the county bench.
Outstanding young judge. Excellent communications. Takes time to listen. Extraordinary feel for justice.
Excellent judge.
Very professional.
Great judge, however, has some social worker qualities that need to go away.
Tries very hard to do the right thing but his lectures slow court down.
Best county court judge on the bench. He is fair, hard working, knowledgeable and is a man of principle and faith.
A super nice guy and doing an above average job.
Bright, very conscientious. Talks too much.
Tries hard to do a good job.
Lazy to a fault.
Good, fair, reasonable.
Could be one of the best judges we have. Has a tendency to be pro prosecution.
Talks too much on each case.
Too rigid and inflexible. Too harsh on criminal defendants.
At one time he had my respect as fair, but now just a prosecutor in a black robe. Too bad.
Poor.
Is very professional. Is very conscientious of the law and attempts to follow it.
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
Robert L. Williams Jr. slipped a few spots in The Ledger's biennial survey of local lawyers.
He ranked eighth among Polk's 10 county judges, with an overall rating of 7.29 out of 10. In 2008, Williams was ranked fifth with an overall rating of 7.60.
This year, Williams' best individual category was a rating of 7.58 for professional conduct. His lowest was 7.13 for legal ability.
The majority of lawyers described Williams as an industrious jurist.
'Best county court judge on the bench,' one lawyer wrote. 'He is fair, hardworking, knowledgeable, and is a man of principle and faith.'
Some were critical, saying Williams was 'too harsh on criminal defendants' and was a 'prosecutor in a black robe.'
Others complained 'his lectures slow court down.'
'Bright, very conscientious,' one wrote. 'Talks too much.'
'Great judge, however, has some social worker qualities that need to go away,' another wrote.
Williams said the survey can offer some insight and feedback for judges to consider.
'I would like to improve all the time,' he said.
He suggested the talkative comments might relate to his previous role as a judge overseeing cases involving mental health and drug court.
His current assignment handling brief first-appearance hearings for numerous criminal defendants doesn't leave room for chitchat.
Williams, 52, earned his law degree from Nova Southeastern University.
He worked as an assistant public defender for about two years before going into private practice for 21 years.
Williams was appointed to the county bench in 2006 by Gov. Jeb Bush.
He and his wife, Karen, live in Lake Wales and have two sons.
District: County Judge
Comments
Article
By RACHEL PLEASANT CHAMBLISS
THE LEDGER
Robert Williams Jr., who ranked fifth out of 10 Polk County judges, accepted his middle-of-the-road rating with diplomacy.
"It's not totally a shock to me," Williams said. "If you're doing your job every day, there are going to be some people you're going to make happy and some you're going to make not as happy."
Williams, appointed to the bench in 2006, was included in the survey for the first time. He received an overall score of 7.6. He scored highest in professional conduct, at 7.95, and lowest in written decisions at 7.35.
Lawyers had a wide range of things to say about Williams, including:
"Another sterling addition to the county bench; brilliant to a fault; needs, however, to show some compassion toward his fellow man."
"He is learning and is fair. Sometimes goes off on tangents."
"His inexperience is painfully apparent at times; is flat-out intimidated by older, more seasoned attorneys and caters to many of their requests for that reason."
"Allows defendants to walk all over him."
"Very fair, listens and pays attention."
Williams recognizes his short time on the bench and says he appreciates the comments shared in the poll.
"I am certainly open to constructive criticism and ways to get better," he said. "I'm sure that I can take some of those comments and get
better."
Williams, 50, was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale. He completed his undergraduate studies at Florida Atlantic University and his law degree at Nova Southeastern University. He moved to Polk County in 1982, working for two years as an assistant public defender. He was in private practice for 21 years.
His current term expires in 2010.
Williams is married and has two children. He lives in lake Wales.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.60 | 7.38 | 7.71 | 7.35 | 7.95 |
Comments
Robert L. Williams Jr.
Another sterling addition to the county bench; brilliant to a fault; needs however to show some compassion
towards his fellow man.
Compassionate, but can spot a "b.s.’er"; gets better every day.
Getting better at being visible.
Gives personal attention to each case and tries to instill a good work ethic among young defendants; defers on
close calls to defense.
Great judge.
He has the makings of a fine judge.
Very bright and hardworking.
He is learning and is fair- sometimes goes off on tangents.
His experience is painfully apparent at times; is flat-out intimidated by older, more seasoned attorneys.
Much better than I expected with his probate experience.
The best county judge we have.
Thorough, knowledgeable, will make a good circuit judge.
Too strict, not flexible; can tell he has not practiced criminal law in a long time; seems to be willing to learn;
pleasant overall.
Very fair, listens and pays attention.
Way too long winded but his heart is in the right place.
Another sterling addition to the county bench; brilliant to a fault; needs however to show some compassion
towards his fellow man.
Compassionate, but can spot a "b.s.’er"; gets better every day.
Getting better at being visible.
Gives personal attention to each case and tries to instill a good work ethic among young defendants; defers on
close calls to defense.
Great judge.
He has the makings of a fine judge.
Very bright and hardworking.
He is learning and is fair- sometimes goes off on tangents.
His experience is painfully apparent at times; is flat-out intimidated by older, more seasoned attorneys.
Much better than I expected with his probate experience.
The best county judge we have.
Thorough, knowledgeable, will make a good circuit judge.
Too strict, not flexible; can tell he has not practiced criminal law in a long time; seems to be willing to learn;
pleasant overall.
Very fair, listens and pays attention.
Way too long winded but his heart is in the right place.
Article
By RACHEL PLEASANT CHAMBLISS
THE LEDGER
Robert Williams Jr., who ranked fifth out of 10 Polk County judges, accepted his middle-of-the-road rating with diplomacy.
"It's not totally a shock to me," Williams said. "If you're doing your job every day, there are going to be some people you're going to make happy and some you're going to make not as happy."
Williams, appointed to the bench in 2006, was included in the survey for the first time. He received an overall score of 7.6. He scored highest in professional conduct, at 7.95, and lowest in written decisions at 7.35.
Lawyers had a wide range of things to say about Williams, including:
"Another sterling addition to the county bench; brilliant to a fault; needs, however, to show some compassion toward his fellow man."
"He is learning and is fair. Sometimes goes off on tangents."
"His inexperience is painfully apparent at times; is flat-out intimidated by older, more seasoned attorneys and caters to many of their requests for that reason."
"Allows defendants to walk all over him."
"Very fair, listens and pays attention."
Williams recognizes his short time on the bench and says he appreciates the comments shared in the poll.
"I am certainly open to constructive criticism and ways to get better," he said. "I'm sure that I can take some of those comments and get
better."
Williams, 50, was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale. He completed his undergraduate studies at Florida Atlantic University and his law degree at Nova Southeastern University. He moved to Polk County in 1982, working for two years as an assistant public defender. He was in private practice for 21 years.
His current term expires in 2010.
Williams is married and has two children. He lives in lake Wales.