About Joe
Email: jwilliams@theCDSLawFirm.com
Primary Practice Area
Joseph R. Williams practices primarily in the fields of matrimonial, family, and adoption law. Mr. Williams represents individuals in the negotiation and litigation of separation, divorce, child custody, support, and domestic violence matters, as well as all areas of adoption law, including private adoptions, voluntary agency adoptions, foster care adoptions and step/second parent adoptions. He has extensive experience representing clients in the Supreme, Surrogates and Family Courts throughout the Capital District.
Prior to joining Copps DiPaola Silverman, PLLC, Mr. Williams’s private practice focused exclusively upon the representation of individuals in divorce and family law matters. Mr. Williams worked at another boutique family law firm in the Capital District, devoting his time to the representation of clients in a wide array of complex matrimonial and family law matters, with a special emphasis on contested custody and domestic violence cases, as well as matrimonial and family appeals.
Prior to private practice, Mr. Williams worked at a not-for-profit civil legal services agency providing representation to the poor and working poor of the Capital District. While working with this organization, Mr. Williams focused exclusively upon the representation on individuals in divorce and family law matters involving complex issues of domestic and/or intimate partner violence.
Mr. Williams is a two-time recipient of the Albany Law School Equality & Justice Scholarship for his work in advocating for equal rights and justice, particularly for members of the LGBT community. Mr. Williams was appointed to serve as a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on LGBT People and the Law and the Capital District Women’s Bar Association’s LGBT Committee. Mr. Williams is also a recipient of the Albany Law School Kate Stoneman Award for his commitment to equality and justice in the legal profession. Mr. Williams’ writing on LGBT equality in the criminal justice system is published in Volume 78 of the Albany Law Review (“I Don’t Like Gays, Okay?” Use of the ‘Gay Panic’ Murder Defense in Modern American Courtrooms: The Ultimate Miscarriage of Justice, 78 Alb. L. Rev. 101 (2015)). Mr. Williams has also provided educational trainings for the community on topics such as “LGBT Domestic Violence,” “The Ins and Outs of Child Support,” and domestic violence sensitivity trainings. Mr. Williams was also recently appointed to serve on the assigned appellate panel for the New York State Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, representing individuals in a wide variety of family law appeals.
Mr. Williams resides in Troy, New York with his four dogs.
Mr. Williams received his J.D. degree from Albany Law School, where he graduated summa cum laude and was recognized for outstanding performance in a clinical setting. While in law school, Mr. Williams served as Executive Editor for Notes & Comments for the Albany Law Review, and was a member of the Pro Bono Society’s family law and LGBT rights projects. Mr. Williams received his B.S. degree summa cum laude from Manhattan College, where he studied Business Administration and Marketing.