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Honoring Samantha J. Williams, Esq., recognizing her service to the citizens of Philadelphia, and wishing her well in her future endeavors.
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WHEREAS, Samantha was born and raised in the City of Philadelphia. She attended grade school in West Philadelphia and attended the High School for Creative and Performing Arts. After proudly graduating from the Philadelphia Public School System, she earned a degree in communications from Temple University in 2010. While at Temple, Samantha became interested in public service and she completed an internship with the Office of Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. in 2009. That internship set her on a course that would change her life forever; and
WHEREAS, After graduating, Samantha began studying at Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law where she earned her J.D. in 2014. While in law school, she found her love for trial advocacy and competed on Temple’s National Trial Team in her senior year. She also completed internships with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and began working there after she graduated; and
WHEREAS, During her time at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Samantha faithfully represented the Commonwealth in hundreds of cases from initiation to disposition. She tried both misdemeanor bench trials and felony waiver trials and handled all other aspects from preliminary hearings through sentencings. While at the DAO, she specialized in prosecuting high-risk DUI offenders using expert witness testimony from toxicologists. In 2016, Samantha left the District Attorney’s Office to serve in a new capacity with the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, In June of 2016, Samantha became the Director of Legislation and Policy to City Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. During her time with Councilmember Jones, she has drafting hundreds of pieces of legislation that have been brought before Council. Through the years, she has also coordinated The Committees on Public Safety, Legislative Oversight, Public Property and Public Works, Commerce and Economic Development, Appropriations, and the Special Committee on Criminal Justice Reform. She has been instrumental in planning, recruiting witnesses, and garnering vote commitments for numerous high-profile pieces of legislation during her tenure; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her time with City Council, Samantha has been a tireless worker on all of Councilmember Jones’ legislative priorities. Since writing her first bill to establish a Criminal Justice Reinvestment Fund, her dedication to the City of Philadelphia has known no bounds. She has drafted legislation like Philadelphia’s “Good Cause” Eviction Law that requires landlords to provide cause when evicting tenets, updates to the Fair Criminal Records Screening also known as “Ban the Box” and spearheading the “100 Shooting Review Committee” to bring together numerous stakeholders to examine over 2,000 shootings in the City, understand the root causes of gun violence, and make recommendations for how to solve this issue. However, her most consequential piece of legislation is the creation of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission; and
WHEREAS, Throughout 2020 and 2021, Samantha was the driving force behind the creation of the Citizen’s Police Oversight Commission. Replacing the Police Advisory Board, this Commission has new investigatory abilities including the ability to investigate officer conduct, make recommendations to police department leadership that they must respond to and the power to subpoena documents and compel witness testimony to aid in its new investigatory abilities. After the legislation passed City Council and was signed into law by Mayor Kenney, Samantha was appointed to panel that selected the nine new Commissioners. These Commissioners were confirmed on April 28, 2022; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her work with City Council, Samantha served as an Adjunct Professor with Temple Law’s National Trial Team from 2018-2020. During her time as a professor, she faithfully instructed her students in all aspects of mock trial and helped them prepare for local, regional, and national competitions; and
WHEREAS, Samantha is a dedicated member of multiple organizations where she has faithfully dedicated her time. In December of 2021, she became a Board Member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, In February of 2022 she became a Director with the Young Caribbean Professional Network, and in September of 2022 she became an Executive Board Member of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, During her six-year tenure on Council Staff, Samantha has worked with and mentored countless staff members and interns to assist them in reaching their full potential. She has helped anyone who needed her during her time with City Council, and her work ethic and dedication make her the epitome of a Council Staffer; and
WHEREAS, Samantha proved an invaluable resource and source of support for her sister, Councilmember Jamie R. Gauthier, during the Councilmember’s freshmen term on City Council. The Councilmember is endlessly thankful to her sister for helping her hit the ground running, and immensely proud of everything Samantha accomplished during her time working for the City. Samantha’s parents, Leon A. Williams, Esq., and Judy Williams, could also not be prouder of their daughter’s unwavering commitment to the people of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, However, December 15, 2022, is her last session as a member of City Council Staff. After nearly seven years serving her city, it is time for her next great adventure; and
WHEREAS, Samantha is a dedicated public servant and her commitment to the citizens of the City of Philadelphia should be forever honored and memorialized. She will be sincerely missed in the City Council chambers by her colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors Samantha J. Williams, Esq., recognizes her service to the citizens of Philadelphia, and wishes her well in her future endeavors.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of the resolution be presented to Samantha J. Williams, Esq. as a sign of the admiration and respect of this legislative body.
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