Annalisa's Story

Judge Annalisa S. Williams’ life and career is one that has been marked by persistence, achievement, and commitment to community service. From her childhood in Youngstown to her studies at Kent State University and the University of Akron School of Law, Annalisa’s education was one of consistent high achievement and determination. She has brought the same qualities to her career as an attorney and later as a Judge where she has served on the Akron Municipal Court since 2003.

Annalisa was born in Youngstown, Ohio to Julius Saffold Stubbs and Eula Grace Harris Stubbs on September 23, 1956. Her father endured the strenuous workload of a steelworker while serving as a trustee of the Youngstown Tabernacle Baptist Church. He became a lifelong role model for Annalisa, teaching her the value of determination and hard work. Her mother Eula Grace, a caring and attentive homemaker, successfully raised Annalisa and her sisters Florita, Andrea and Althea. She encouraged her children to excel in their academic studies as well as other pursuits.

As a youth Annalisa joined her younger sisters in many theatrical performances, sang in the Children’s Choir and was a Girl Scout. She learned parliamentary procedure in order to conduct meetings for the Buckeye Elks and Naomi Temple lodges, where her parents were members.

While attending Youngstown South High School she remained very involved while maintaining a high GPA. Her extracurriculars included Student Council, A Capella Choir and theater. She volunteered at the “Happening House,” an after school community center for elementary school children.

Annalisa attended Kent State University for her undergraduate studies, and continued on to receive a Masters Degree in Urban Studies at the University of Akron in 1980. She attended evening classes at the University of Akron School of Law and received her Juris Doctorate in May of 1984. She was admitted to the Ohio Bar that November.

In 1985 Annalisa was appointed by Ohio Senator and former Akron Mayor Tom Sawyer to the position of Assistant Law Director, serving in both Criminal and Civil Divisions. That same year she married Michael D. Williams. The young family suffered a personal tragedy just months later when their infant son Michael James Williams passed away shortly after his birth. Their daughter Alex was born in 1987 and son James in 1990.

In 1995 Annalisa ran for Judge of the Akron Municipal Court. She lost by a small margin, but was excited by meeting so many concerned citizens and the engagement of the political process. That same year both her parents passed away. Her mother and father were responsible for so many of the positive things in Annalisa’s life and had pushed her to chase after her dreams. The disappointment of losing the campaign and the sorrow of losing her parents made Annalisa even more determined to honor their memory by achieving her goals.

In 2003, Annalisa was elected to the Akron Municipal Court and was reelected in 2005. In addition to her service as a Judge, Annalisa is involved in many Judicial Task Forces, the Ohio State and Akron Bar Associations, Akron Barristers Association, The National Drug Court Association, NAMI, Municipal Court Judges Association, and the American Judges Association. She is a past Chair of the Criminal Law Section. Judge Williams is a former member of the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Advisory Committee on Specialized Docket and a certified “Bridges out of Poverty” trainer.

She is a past elected trustee of the Akron Bar Association, past Presiding Judge of Akron Municipal Court and Presiding Judge of the Mental Health Court. She presides over OVI Court with Judge Kathryn Michael. Judge Williams has also been a guest writer for Senior Forum Magazine.

Annalisa has received many awards over the years including the Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award for Distinguished Service in the field of Law, The Legacy III Distinguished Criminal Justice Award and the Community Outreach Public Relations award, among others. She is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Her family attends Wesley Temple AME Zion Church.