J.D. Williams is the Chief Judge for the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians on Oregon’s central coast, including their Peacegiving Court which focuses on restorative justice using Tribal traditions and values. He also acts as an appellate and pro tem judge for a number of other tribes in Oregon and Washington and teaches Federal Indian Law at the Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law in Portland.

Mr. Williams is a partner in Williams Johnson LLP, a Portland law firm that specializes in Indian, environmental and energy law.  They represent tribal governments, tribal businesses, utilities, and charter schools as well as those doing business in Indian country.  An attorney for 18 years, Mr. Williams is licensed in Oregon and Washington. His practice focuses on economic development in Indian country especially in telecommunications and energy as well as the protection of Tribal natural and cultural resources, sovereignty and jurisdiction.