Berkshire School’s DEI Alumni Council Presents

Collective Voices: A Webinar Conversation Series on DEI
(Diversity, Equity, Inclusion)

Fred Williams '69  
Public Defender – Judge – Law Professor – Mentor
and One of the First Black Students at Berkshire School

In conversation with Head of School Pieter Mulder

Wednesday, October 18, 2023
8:00 PM EST

Fred Williams ’69 arrived at Berkshire School in 1966 through the A Better Chance (ABC) program. Along with classmate Joe Dirl ’69, they were among the first black students to attend and the first black students to graduate.

Please join us for a virtual conversation between Head of School Pieter Mulder and Fred Williams as they discuss Fred’s reflections on Berkshire, the judiciary, and teaching at a HBCU (historically black college or university) law school.

Fred Williams ’69 Bio

Throughout his 45-year legal career, Williams has worked as both a practicing attorney and a law professor. Most recently, he was Director of the Clinical Legal Education Program at the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Law. As an Associate Professor at NCCU, Williams taught classes in Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Law Office Management, Client Counseling, Professional Responsibility, and Evidence. He also served as Director of the Criminal Litigation Clinic. From 1985 to 1987, Williams served as a Special Superior Court Judge, appointed by Governor James B. Hunt.

Upon his graduation from Berkshire School, Williams earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his J.D. from the UNC School of Law.

He is the father of 5 children: Torraine (52), Syrena (47), Zija (14), and twins Safi and Enzi (13).

About Collective Voices

Berkshire’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Alumni Council virtual speakers series,
Collective Voices, highlights the importance of hearing from and including the perspectives and experiences of
historically marginalized identities within our alumni community. By listening to and valuing our voices, we aim to work toward a more just, equitable, and inclusive community at Berkshire School and beyond.