The Bryan administration announced Monday that attorney Pedro K. Williams has been nominated to serve as a judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands for the St. Thomas/St. John district, a selection officials say would allow the court to operate with a full complement of judges for the first time in years.
Government House communications director Richard Motta said the nomination, once reviewed by the Legislature, would address the final remaining vacancy on the bench.
“Upon the legislature’s advice and consent, this nomination will satisfy the remaining vacancies on the Superior Court bench and allow the court to operate at full strength,” Mr. Motta said. “That means greater capacity to move cases, shorter wait times for families and businesses that seek resolution, and a stronger foundation for justice across the territory.”
Mr. Williams’s legal career began after he returned home with a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas. He went on to serve as legal counsel to former congressional delegate Rod DeLugo and later worked with the Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. His private-sector experience includes roles as an associate, partner, and ultimately owner of his own firm.
“Attorney Williams has built a reputation as a seasoned and steady advocate,” Mr. Motta said. He noted that Mr. Williams has represented both government agencies and private clients, giving him “a balanced perspective on the duties and limits of government power and on the rights of individual citizens.” Mr. Motta added that Mr. Williams’ broad legal background — “from serious criminal matters to complex civil disputes to sensitive family cases” — offers a perspective that is “invaluable on a court where decisions affect public safety, livelihoods and the stability of families.”
In addition to his legal work, Mr. Williams has an extensive record of public service, according to Government House. He has served on the boards of the Housing Finance Authority, the Virgin Islands Bar Association, and the St. Thomas East End Medical Center. He has also been a member of the territory’s Law Review Commission, is currently the chair of the Public Services Commission, and serves as an administrative law judge for the Department of Labor. Mr. Motta said the skills required in these roles “translate directly to the work of a Superior Court judge.” Mr. Williams is admitted to practice before the local courts, the District Court of the Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
“Taken together, this record tells a clear story,” Mr. Motta said as he urged members of the 36th Legislature to give the nomination favorable consideration.
British Caribbean News
