The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/418536
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? "But those little things … we'd go watch film in the coaches' office, and it certainly wasn't as fancy as it is now. But we had a chance to interact with the coaches. He was still there, but his approach was just a little more hands off." As it turned out, Williams and Schmebechler finished up together, but Williams was just getting started. He graduated from Michigan's law school in 1993, then clerked for a year for U.S. District Court Judge William M. Acker in Birmingham, Ala. Williams then spent a decade with the law firm of Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLC, in Atlanta. He wound up a partner, before spending nine years as an in-house counsel with Winn- Dixie Stores, Inc., the food chain based in Jacksonville, Fla. He rose through the ranks to even- tually become senior vice president, general counsel and corporate sec- retary in 2012. He's now back in At- lanta as a partner with FordHarrison LLP, which specializes in labor and employment. "Every football player who steps on that campus steps on it to be an All-American, to be All-Big Ten, and to win the Big Ten champion- ship," Williams reflected. "It was still my goal from an athletic per- spective, but I needed to focus on my academics." No one questioned his course, in- cluding his defensive coordinator. Three years later, he hadn't forgotten. "Lloyd actually showed up for my graduation, which I thought was re- ally, really special," Williams said. ❏ Michigan Accomplishments: Lettered in 1987, 1988 and 1989, earning Big Ten championship rings and trips to the Rose Bowl the final two seasons … Played on teams that compiled a 38‑10‑1 record over four seasons … Recorded 31 tackles in his career, mostly on special teams … Appeared in 23 games. Michigan Memory: "One outstanding Michigan memory is the football bust. Every senior gets a chance to stand up and say something to the team and to the coaches and to the fans. It's an extremely emotional, heartfelt moment for all the guys on that team. "I really remember that night and all the emotions around it. Then hearing a few days later that that would be Bo's last season impacted things as well. Professional Accomplishments: Has worked as an attorney for the past two decades, with Constangy, Brooks & Smith from 1994‑2003; Winn‑Dixie Stores, Inc., from 2003‑12; Reid Williams, from 2013‑14; and now with FordHarrison LLP in Atlanta. Education: BBA with an emphasis in marketing from the University of Michi‑ gan, 1990; graduated from law school at the University of Michigan, 1993. Family: Wife, Shoran, an Ohio State law school graduate; daughters Taylor, 14, and Mary‑Elizabeth, 12. The Tim Williams File