Steven Ward Williams

In law school, Steve was named Best Advocate of his graduating class. He was also the 1990 recipient of the Richard D. Westbrook award for scholarship and advocacy.

After graduating from law school in 1990, Steve served as an officer in the U.S. Navy?s Judge Advocate General?s (JAG) Corps. While in the JAG Corps, Steve gained valuable trial experience. He was promoted to the position of Senior Trial Counsel (i.e., senior prosecutor), where he supervised a staff of prosecutors. He specialized in handling some of the Navy?s most complex and high profile cases. In 1994, Steve was assigned as counsel to Rear Admiral F. M. Dirren, Jr. Steve advised the Admiral on a wide range of issues, including, but not limited to, labor and employment, tort law and criminal law. Steve served on active duty for five years and was ultimately promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Upon completing his commitment to the U.S. Navy in 1995, Steve returned to Upstate New York and joined Smith Sovik. He was made a partner in 1997. Since joining the firm, Steve has tried cases all over New York State and has earned a reputation as an excellent trial advocate. He handles a wide range of legal issues, including construction accidents, employment law, products liability, Qui Tam claims, professional malpractice and general liability. He has represented high profile clients such as the National Basketball Players? Association (NBPA) and has appeared as a legal analyst on television programs such as The O?Reilly Factor and Hour CNY. Steve regularly appears before state agencies responsible for investigating claims of discrimination and EEOC offices in every state from Delaware to Maine.