Williams received a Bachelor of Arts from the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa with high distinction in 1985.

[1] From 1992 to 1997, Williams was a trial attorney specializing in complex civil litigation and criminal defense at Lathrop & Gage in Kansas City.

[1] From 1997 to 2016, Williams rejoined the Department of Justice and served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa.

His nomination was recommended by Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst after screening by a judicial merit selection committee.

President Trump nominated Williams to the seat vacated by Judge Linda R. Reade, who assumed senior status on October 1, 2017.