Pedro Williams’ Judicial Nomination Advances Unanimously From Rules Committee

Self-described “problem solver and decision maker” Pedro Williams has been approved by the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for the position of judge in the St. Thomas/St. John Division of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.

His nomination for the role is intended to fill gaps in the territory’s judicial system as judges retire and case backlogs grow. It is not the first time that Williams has been nominated for the position, but is the first time that he has agreed to take up the mantle. He described it as a way to “serve the community that I love and respect.”

Williams appeared before the Committee on Thursday, the first meeting of the 36th Legislature for the year. He outlined his forty years of legal experience, including an early role as the legislative assistant in Washington, D.C. to the honorable Ron De Lugo, VI Delegate to Congress and later as his chief counsel and then as district manager of his congressional office in St Thomas. Williams later served as the legal counsel to the Coastal Zone Management Commission.

In his private legal practice, Mr. Williams has represented private and public entities, including the Departments of Education and Labor, the Virgin Islands Housing Authority, the St. Thomas East End Medical Center Corporation, and several trade unions. He informed lawmakers that his experience as an attorney has included both civil and criminal matters, handling matters like murder, divorce, medical malpractice, and probate.