Davida S. Williams
Attorney
Overview
Davida crafts legal arguments with purpose, keeping the desired and feasible outcome for each case in mind and always focusing on the big picture.
Davida began her legal career in New York City where she represented clients in complex civil litigation—including class actions and multimillion-dollar antitrust and government enforcement actions. As part of her pro bono and appellate practice, Davida represented amici in the Supreme Court, Second Circuit, Eastern District of New York, and state courts across the country.
At Greene Espel, Davida continues to help clients navigate complex antitrust and competition matters before trial and appellate courts. She also advises clients on government enforcement actions and government investigations, handles a variety of employment matters, including non-competes and internal investigations, and represents clients in appeals. Davida has argued cases before the District of Minnesota, Minnesota Court of Appeals, and Minnesota District Court.
Davida has been recognized by her peers on the 2023 Minnesota Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers and was named in Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (2024) and in Minnesota Lawyer as an “Up & Coming Attorney” (2021). In 2021, Davida was appointed to a Merit Selection Panel by the United States District Judges of the District of Minnesota to advise on the selection of a new United States Magistrate Judge.
EDUCATION
- J.D., Harvard Law School (2015); Harvard Black Law Students Association, Internal Vice President (2014-2015); Harvard Journal on Racial and Ethnic Justice, Executive Editor
- M.Ed., Boston University, Curriculum and Teaching
- B.A., Yale University, Political Science and African American Studies
EXPERIENCE
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, Law Clerk (2017-2018)
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Associate (2015-2017)
- Boston Collegiate Charter School, 5th and 6th Grade Special Education Teacher (2010-2012)
ADMISSIONS
- State of Minnesota
- State of New York
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
AFFILIATIONS
- American Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
Davida's Practice Areas
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Antitrust and Competition
Explore Practice AreaGreene Espel can help you navigate antitrust and competition investigations, government enforcement actions, white collar criminal investigations and litigation, trial and appellate litigation, and compliance counseling.
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Appellate
Explore Practice Area“What’s next?” Greene Espel can guide you through the appellate process, providing an objective assessment of the pivotal issues, developing a strategy based on how appellate judges are likely to view a case in light of legal, institutional, and policy considerations, and advocating effectively.
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Class Actions
Explore Practice AreaClients regularly turn to Greene Espel when faced with high-stakes, class-action litigation. Greene Espel attorneys have defended dozens of putative class actions in federal and state courts all across the country.
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Commercial Litigation
Explore Practice AreaOur business litigation practice embraces the wide variety of commercial disputes facing private and public companies today. Areas of particular expertise include intellectual property, antitrust, securities, employment, professional liability, and construction disputes.
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Employment Litigation
Explore Practice AreaBusinesses, public institutions, and individuals seek out Greene Espel for representation in a wide range of employment-litigation matters.
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Employment Counseling
Explore Practice AreaGreene Espel partners with employers to foster diverse and inclusive workplaces, to develop and implement employment policies, and to advise about the myriad of employment issues that may arise daily.
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Employment Investigations
Explore Practice AreaEmployers rely on Greene Espel to conduct internal investigations about their most sensitive and high-stakes workplace issues.
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Non-Compete Disputes and Litigation
Explore Practice AreaEmployees come and go. When their departures implicate legal obligations, Greene Espel can help. Greene Espel mobilizes immediately when clients must seek, or defend against, expedited injunction motions that may arise when employees move from one job to another.
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Anti-corruption and FCPA
Explore Practice AreaGreene Espel rivals big firms with its experienced group of corruption and FCPA investigators and counselors. We help companies efficiently and effectively investigate allegations of corruption, assess their compliance programs, and present their best possible case to prosecutors and regulators.
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Internal Investigations
Explore Practice AreaWe leverage our experience to conduct sensitive and high-profile internal investigations for our clients. We also help clients navigate investigations to mitigate reputational, regulatory, and litigation risks.
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White Collar Criminal and Regulatory Defense
Explore Practice AreaWe provide an insider’s perspective and the experience to vindicate your interests and defend your name in complex criminal and regulatory matters.
Davida's Recognition & Awards
- Appointed to the Merit Selection Panel by Chief Judge John R. Tunheim to advise the U.S. District Court of the District of Minnesota on the selection of a new U.S. Magistrate Judge (January 2021)
- Up and Coming Attorney, Minnesota Lawyer (2021)
- Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (2021-2025)
- Selected to Minnesota Rising Stars list, Minnesota Super Lawyers (2020-2024)
- Recognized as Minnesota State Bar Association North Star Lawyer for pro bono service (2019)