Basil Williams

Basil Williams is a Lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law since 2019 and Deputy Attorney General in the Appeals, Writs & Trials section of the California Department of Justice. He has argued complex felony cases in the California Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit, litigated habeas petitions in federal district court, and co-founded California’s first statewide Post Conviction Justice Unit.

• Education
• MPA, Harvard University (2023) - Roy & Lila Ash Democracy Fellow
• LLM, University of California, College of the Law, SF (2015)
• LLB, University of London (2010)

His research and professional focus centers on racial justice, criminal justice reform, constitutional law, and civil rights. He serves on the Executive Committee of the California Lawyers Association’s Criminal Law Section.

• Scientific Awards
• California Attorney General’s Award for Excellence (criminal justice reform work and advocacy)