Kimberly Williams ’25 Finds Family at Albany Law

When Kimberly Williams ’25 arrived at Albany Law School, she didn’t know anyone. What she did know is that she was chasing a calling that traced back to her childhood.

“I don't know how or why it happened, but my mom has little pictures of me in kindergarten drawing briefcases, and she's always told me, ‘You're going to be a lawyer. You argue a lot,’” Williams said.

Originally from Syracuse and later Atlanta, Georgia, Williams returned to New York after graduating from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Political Science and a focus on Criminal Justice. Even with her background, law school was not a sure thing.

“I didn't get in right after undergrad, I had a year break, and during that year break, I was doubting myself. I didn’t know if I really wanted to go back to law school or even go to school period, because a lot of people take their gap years and never return,” Williams said. “I applied to a lot of law schools, and I was waitlisted for a very long time. And then maybe two days before Orientation, Albany Law called me.”

Despite never having been to Albany and not knowing much about the Capital Region, Williams took a chance to follow her intuition.

“I think the saying is, you don't grow where you're comfortable. So, coming to Albany and being in a different space, it broadened my horizons,” she said.

Williams quickly found her footing and her voice, especially through the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), where she served as President in 2024–2025.

“BLSA helped me build a community of mentorship and gave me the space to connect with other students who look like me, walk like me, and talk like me. The affinity groups here really made Albany Law feel like home,” she said.

Under her leadership, BLSA expanded its presence both on campus and in the larger Albany community. “We’ve grown in number and grown in impact,” she said, recalling mentoring undergraduates from UAlbany and organizing community-focused events.

Throughout law school, Williams built relationships with faculty and leaned on a strong network of alumni. “They kept it real with me. They reminded me that your path is your own, and what’s for you is for you,” she said.

Now returning to Syracuse to join the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office as a full-time attorney, Williams is excited to use her Juris Doctor to give back.

“I always knew I wanted to be a prosecutor, especially because of the jobs I’ve had,” she said. “I’ve worked in youth centers, jails, and detention facilities. During law school, I held four different jobs, and through that, I realized how much I enjoy working with kids and how passionate I am about mentorship. That’s what really confirmed it for me.”