Douglas County resident and Attorney Ryan Williams formally announced his withdrawal from the May 24 primary election for Douglas County Superior Court Judge. Williams now joins the race for Douglas County Chief Magistrate Judge for the November general election, and will replace Sylvia Wayfer Baker as the Democratic candidate on the ballot. Williams is running to bring real, sensible, and impartial judicial representation to the bench in Douglas County. With almost a decade of experience in both civil and criminal law, Ryan hopes to bring a wealth of experience to the courtroom. 

“I believe that our justice system only works when it works for everyone,” said Williams. “I’ve served on both sides of the law, and as a prosecutor and public servant, I strived to ensure that justice was delivered fairly. As a criminal defense attorney, I have stood beside my clients to provide them the advice and representation they needed to navigate difficult circumstances. Douglas County is experiencing significant growth and with its diverse population, it’s time we have experienced, relatable, and fair representation on the bench. That’s the kind of judicial representation we need in Douglas County, and why I’m running for Chief Magistrate Judge.”

A native of Coosa County, Alabama, Ryan moved to Atlanta, Georgia after law school where he began his legal career as an assistant solicitor for the City of Atlanta. As a prosecutor, he successfully presided over thousands of cases focusing on code enforcement, alcohol license renewals, business licenses, permitting and zoning, and fire inspection cases. Ryan also led the city’s efforts to recoup millions in unpaid water and sewage bills. Rooted in his belief in the fair and equitable treatment of all, Ryan spearheaded a repayment plan that allowed residents to pay their bills over time without the fear of disconnection of water services, removed outstanding liens, and began the revitalization of blighted communities within the city. 

Ryan is currently the founding partner of The Ryan C. Williams Law Firm where he concentrates his practice in the areas of personal injury protection, DUI defense and general business and corporate matters. He has litigated civil and criminal cases on the municipal court, state court, and superior court level. His cases have been featured in local, regional, and national media outlets including Good Morning America, ABC News and CNN. 

Ryan has been recognized as one of Georgia’s top criminal defense attorneys by the National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40 – a distinction offered only to attorneys who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile. Williams volunteers his time serving as a board member of the Chosen Destiny Foundation – an organization dedicated to ending and preventing the cycle of homelessness in the state of Georgia.  He previously served as a board member for the WISE Scholar Foundation where he raised funds to assist students pursuing post-secondary education.