A force to be reckoned with

Bianca Williams has been named the 2020 Law Related Education (LRE) Lawyer of the Year for her dedication to the Mock Trial program and passion to foster a better understanding of the values of our legal and judicial system. To her students and teacher counterpart, there is no one more deserving of the recognition.

When Williams volunteered to be a High School Mock Trial coach in the fall of 2016, she didn’t know where she would end up coaching. Williams found herself at Blythewood High School, about a half hour outside of the state capital, and was met with a team struggling to find its identity.

“When I decided to coach Blythewood High School's Mock Trial Team, I had no trial experience and I had never participated in Mock Trial. When I shared my new venture with some of my colleagues, they told me I was in over my head. One colleague even chuckled and said that it was the equivalent of ‘the blinding leading the blind,’” Williams recalls. “We were labeled the underdog since 80 percent of the team never participated in Mock Trial. But, despite the odds stacked against us, we persevered.”

Pepper Busbee, Blythewood High School teacher coach and Williams’ nominator, said she was unsure at first of how Williams would fit in with the students as the lawyer had no previous connection to the team. But that all changed after one meeting.

“When Bianca Williams entered the halls of Blythewood High School the first week of November, I immediately knew she was a force to be reckoned with, and that our students were about to embark on the learning experience of a lifetime,” Busbee said.

Not only did Williams win over Busbee, but the students took to her immediately. During her year coaching the team, Williams has made an incredible impact on students. She got access to the Blythewood courthouse every Thursday to help simulate the real competition. She hired a Mock Trial student to intern at her firm, AFFC Law, where she’s a sole practitioner. She made a point to host team bonding nights and treated the students to laser tag the night before a competition to unwind.

“Whether ordering pizzas for practice, bringing snacks and playing UNO after a good practice session, or scheduling time for laser tag and jumping at the Plex, Bianca instinctively knew what it sometimes takes many teachers years to learn: students won’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care,” Busbee said.

“Being recognized as the 2020 LRE Lawyer of the Year is an honor and a blessing. I thank God that he saw in me what I didn't see in myself,” Williams said.

Williams continued, reflecting on the moments of doubt as a first-year coach. “There were many times I thought I should sit this competition out and try again next year. But I had 11 amazing students and a dedicated teacher who believed in me. As such, I dedicate this award to Carlisle, David, Jordan, Delshaun, Reygin, Nyla, Lauren, Colleen, Kristyn, Sofia, Zharyn, and Ms. Busbee!”

The team that initially lacked confidence suddenly felt like they had a fighting chance all thanks to the encouragement, leadership and passion displayed by Bianca Williams – the 2020 LRE Lawyer of the Year.