Christian & Small Associate Priscilla Williams focuses her civil defense litigation practice on transportation, insurance, premises liability, and construction defect matters. Early in her career, she worked as a Staff Attorney and Judicial Assistant to the Honorable James “Jim” H. Roberts Jr. In this role, Priscilla managed the civil docket, and, by observation, gained experience in motion practice, oral arguments, presentation of evidence, bench trials, and all aspects of jury trials. She takes pride in building relationships with her clients and knows that zealous advocacy is dependent on understanding not only the law, but also her clients’ expectations and interests.

While enrolled at Washington & Lee University School of Law, Priscilla was part of one of the first two graduating classes that completed the school’s third-year practicum programming, which is designed to be a bridge between being a student and a first-year practitioner. As part of this unique curriculum, the majority of her third-year classes were experiential-based, rather than lecture-based, with an emphasis on negotiations, trial advocacy, shareholder derivatives claims, and white collar crime.

Practice Areas:

  • Civil Litigation
  • Insurance
  • Premises Liability
  • Transportation

Education:

  • The University of Alabama, 2009, B.S., Commerce and Business Administration (Magna cum laude)
  • Washington and Lee University School of Law, 2014, J.D.

Representative Experience:

  • Secured a defense verdict in a case where the plaintiff alleged a rear-end collision caused a torn rotator cuff that subsequently required surgery.
  • Effectively tried a property damages subrogation case on behalf of an insured and insurer (as plaintiffs), resulting in a $1.3 million jury verdict.
  • Represented numerous clients in matters involving motor vehicle accidents, claims for UM/UIM benefits, and premises liability issues; provided support for cases involving spoliation, tortious assaults, and various torts alleged against businesses.
  • Tried jury trial in which the plaintiff’s UIM carrier “fronted” a settlement offer made by the client, resulting in a verdict for the same amount offered by the client to settle the case.
  • Has written and successfully argued motions for summary judgment on a wide range of topics, including negligent entrustment, the duties of property owners to licensees and invitees, the “open and obvious” defense for premises liability cases, respondeat superior, the legal requirements to prove agency, and matters of vicarious liability.
  • Has seen cases through to verdict both in situations involving a jury or an arbitrator.
  • Served as Staff Attorney and Judicial Assistant to the Honorable James H. Roberts Jr., Civil Court Judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Alabama.
  • Served a summer clerkship with the Honorable Tom Parker, at the time an Associate Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court (now Chief Justice).

Professional and Community Involvement:

  • Alabama State Bar: Member
  • The Mississippi Bar: Member
  • Birmingham Bar Association: Member
  • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association: Member
  • Junior League of Birmingham: Member; Co-Chair of Bargain Carousel, Departments (2019-2020)

Admissions:

  • Alabama, 2014
  • Mississippi, 2015
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit