Zuberi “Zu” Williams is a retired Maryland District Court judge where he was the youngest appointed judge in the court’s history. He is currently a director at the Delaware law firm of Bayard, P.A., where he leads Bayrd’s Business ADR practice.
Williams helped launch and leads the ADR section as an innovative, people-focused platform designed to help parties resolve high-stakes disputes with speed, dignity, and durability. Over 15 years, he has conducted hundreds of mediations and settlement conferences across commercial, civil, employment, and government matters. Both legal counsel and clients praise his even-keeled approach and his ability to make complex cases feel manageable.
On the bench, Williams led the District Court’s ADR Sub-Committee, modernizing programs and training statewide. Widely praised for his neutrality, he guides high-conflict disputes with clarity, respect, and momentum. His leadership and professional reputation in the legal community have earned him honors including the Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County’s Peacemaker Award.
(He’s also a huge pop culture savant!)
Williams earned his bachelor’s degree at Texas Christian University, his MBA at the American University Kogod School of Business, and his JD at the American University College of Law.
Full bio is available online.
Retired judge Zuberi “Zu” Williams shares how an early internship with the ABA’s JOIP shaped his career, and how he works to give back.
Subscribe to receive featured episodes and staff favorites once a month.
Newsletter Signup
