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R. Jamison Williams, Jr.

Chairman Emeritus (Retired)

Overview

”We at Avenir Companies and the McDonald Agape Foundation have enjoyed a close working relationship for almost four decades with Rick Williams.  Together we have acquired, merged, closed or sold more than 50 companies.  We have also together developed about a half dozen unique family trusts, built up a significant charitable foundation and managed portfolios of investments and assets ranging usually in the mid to upper eight figure levels.  To enhance our collaboration we have officed in the same building with Rick Williams also serving as an officer or board member of multiple Avenir/McDonald enterprises and trusts.  We are fortunate to have worked with Rick Williams and delighted to have passed our strong relationship with Rick Williams and his firm onto the next generation of Avenir/McDonald family and professional leadership.” 

Alonzo L. McDonald, CEO of Avenir Companies and the McDonald Agape Foundation; former CEO of McKinsey & Company, Assistant to the President of the United States and White House Staff Director and U.S. Ambassador

A co-founder of the firm, R. Jamison Williams, Jr. is regarded as among the premier corporate law attorneys in Michigan. 

During his 50 year career at WWRP, Rick counseled owners, CEOs, CFOs, managers, entrepreneurs, financiers, and bankers in a wide range of transactions, including start-ups, leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, roll-ups, refinancings, restructurings, liquidations, and sales. He additionally possesses significant experience in financial counseling and estate planning.

Rick’s comprehensive understanding of business transactions includes hands-on experience based on his ownership of several companies, including start-ups. Prior to commencing his legal career, Rick worked in New York City as an investment banker for Smith Barney and as a management consultant for Booz, Allen & Hamilton. He also served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and is a graduate of the Defense Languages Institute (Russian).

Rick is actively involved in local community affairs. He was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Michigan Opera Theater, and has served or serves on the Boards of Trustees of the Cranbrook Educational Community, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Beaumont Hospital, the University of Michigan’s Center for Hearing Disorders. He is a board director of a number of companies, including Penske Corporation, Clarke Power Services and Conifer Holding Company, and has served as a board member of Nexlink Communications, Green Optics and several other entities.

Rick has been frequently honored by peers and ranking organizations for outstanding accomplishment in the field of corporate law. Most recently, he was inducted into the inaugural class of Michigan Lawyers Weekly's "Hall of Fame." In 2016, Rick was named among “The Best Lawyers in America” by the most highly respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Other of his accolades include being named a finalist for "Deal Maker of the Year" by Crain’s Detroit Business, "Deal Maker of the Year in Cross-Border (European/American) Transactions" by The M&A Advisor, a "Leader in the Field of M&A" by Chambers & Partners International, "Detroiter of the Year" by Hour Magazine, and consistent annual recognition as a Michigan “Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters.

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
    • Corporation, Banking & Business Law Section, Member
    • Real Property Section, Member
    • Probate & Trust Law Section, Member
    • Taxation Section, Member
  • Oakland County Bar Association
  • Penske Corporation
    • Director, 1997 to present
  • Nexlink Communications
    • Founder and Chairman of the Board, 2010 to 2020
  • Conifer Holdings, Inc.
    • Director, 2009 to present
  • Clarke Power Services
    • Director, 1988 to present
  • North Pointe Insurance Company
    • Director, 2002 to 2010
  • Great Lakes Coating
    • Founder and Chairman of the Board, 1994 to 2001
  • Detroit Diesel Corporation
    • Director, 1988 to 2000
  • Green Optics, LLC
    • Founder and Chairman of the Board, 2015 to 2022

Community/Civic Activities

  • Michigan Opera Theatre and Detroit Opera House
    • Chairman of the Board of Trustees, 2003 to 2019
  • Cranbrook Educational Community
    • Member, Board of Trustees, 1998 to 2004
  • Detroit Symphony Orchestra
    • Member, Board of Trustees, 2000 to present
  • Beaumont Hospital
    • Member, Board of Trustees, 2005 to 2007
  • Center for Hearing Disorders (University of Michigan, Kresge Hearing Institute)
    • Member, Board of Trustees, 1999 to present
  • Horizons Upward Bound
    • Member, Board of Advisors, 1980 to 2000

Honors & Awards

Awards

  • OPERA America, National Opera Trustee Recognition Award (2018)
  • Deal Maker of the Year in Cross-Border Transactions (2009)
    • M&A Advisor - Global M&A Advisor Awards
  • Finalist, Deal Maker of the Year (2008)
    • Crain's Detroit Business

Honors

  • Best Lawyers® 2021 Corporate Law "Lawyer of the Year" for Troy, Michigan Region
  • Best Lawyers in America©, Woodward/White, Inc. (2012 to present)
  • Michigan “Super Lawyers," Thomson Reuters (2010 to present) 
  • Michigan Lawyers Weekly, "Hall of Fame" (2019)
  • Most Connected, Crain’s Detroit Business (2015)
  • Detroiter of the Year, Hour Magazine (2010)
  • Leader in the Field - Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions, Chambers & Partners USA (2010)

Admissions

  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Admitted, 1972

News & Insights

Education ›

Education

  • University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, MI, J.D. (1966)
  • Defense Languages Institute, Monterey, CA, (Russian) (1968)
  • Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, B.A, Associate of Arts (1963)