Howard L. Williams

Howard L. Williams is a partner at Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP with more than four decades of experience representing privately held companies and their shareholders. His practice covers tax planning and litigation, corporate and business law, employee benefits, executive compensation, and aviation matters. Williams is recognized for providing practical, strategic counsel to help clients navigate complex financial and regulatory challenges.

Williams earned his J.D., cum laude, from Wake Forest University School of Law, where he served on the Wake Forest Law Review. He later obtained an LL.M., with highest honors, from George Washington University, and a B.S., with high honors, from North Carolina State University. His advanced training in tax law and business matters laid the foundation for a distinguished career advising corporations and entrepreneurs throughout North Carolina.

Before joining Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP, Williams served in Washington, D.C., with the Office of Chief Counsel for the United States Treasury, where he gained extensive experience as a tax specialist and litigator. He has represented businesses in tax disputes before the U.S. Tax Court, federal district courts, and the Internal Revenue Service, and continues to advise clients on corporate tax planning and compliance strategies to achieve long-term growth.

Widely recognized for his excellence, Howard L. Williams has been listed in Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America®, and North Carolina Super Lawyers. He serves as a member of the North Carolina Agricultural Finance Authority, the Southeastern Region Liaison Committee to the IRS, and the Board of Visitors at Wake Forest University School of Law, reflecting his dedication to both the legal profession and his community.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP
• Member, North Carolina Bar Association
• Member At-Large, North Carolina Agricultural Finance Authority
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Greensboro Bar Association
• Member, Board of Visitors, Wake Forest University School of Law
• Member, Southeastern Region Liaison Committee, Internal Revenue Service

Licensed State

• North Carolina

Education

• George Washington University
  Master of Laws (LLM)
• Wake Forest University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• North Carolina State University
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges