Judge Phyllis R. Williams serves in Division B-10 in the State Court of DeKalb County. Prior to her State Court appointment, Judge Williams was appointed to the DeKalb Magistrate Court in 2009,  where she presided over civil and criminal matters.  Judge Williams was also active with the Magistrate Court Training Council, where she has served on the Curriculum Committee and trained Magistrate Judges around the State. Judge Williams is an active member of the DeKalb Bar Association, DeKalb Lawyers Association, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Stonewall Bar Association, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, and Georgia Association of Women Attorneys. Judge Williams has also served on the Board of Directors for the South DeKalb YWCA, is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb (2003), and is a member of the Leadership DeKalb Beacon Society.

Judge Williams began her legal career practicing insurance defense and was a trial attorney for over 25 years. She has tried complex divorces, personal injury litigation, contract disputes, and criminal defense cases.  As a trial attorney, Judge Williams believed “everyone is entitled to zealous representation, even if they cannot afford it.” To that end, she incorporated work as a court appointed attorney into her firm’s practice which led her to representing clients in trials and appeals, and  has argued before the Supreme Court of Georgia.  In addition to her law practice, Judge Williams served as an Administrative Hearing Officer for the DeKalb Merit System as well as an adjunct professor at Georgia State University College of Law. 

Phyllis graduated from Florida State University College of Law and the University of Florida with a degree in Music and is a classically trained pianist. She also loves to cook and travel internationally.  She fancies herself as an amateur culinary genius and loves to cook international dishes.  Phyllis also played racquetball competitively and has won two (2) gold medals in the Georgia Games.