Jatavian L. Williams

Partner, Attorney at Law

 jwilliams@glagowilliams.com Download vCard

Jatavian “Jay” Williams was born and raised in Shreveport, LA.  He came to New Orleans on an academic scholarship to attend Dillard University.  In 2006, Jatavian graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. degree in Political Science.  In 2009, Jatavian earned a Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.  While in law school, he was a member of the Loyola Moot Court Team, the Loyola Trial Advocacy Program, as well as a student member of the St. Thomas Moore Inn of Court.  In 2007, he received the Gillis Long Public Service Award in recognition of his successful efforts for representing citizens during blighted property hearings following Hurricane Katrina. Also, Jatavian received the 34^th National Trial Competition Award for Best Closing Argument Oralist in 2009.

Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Mr. Williams began his legal career by serving as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable June B. Darensburg, 24^th Judicial District Court, from 2009-2011.  Following his Jefferson Parish clerkship, he served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Herbert A. Cade and then to the Honorable Paula A. Brown, Civil District Court, Orleans Parish, from 2011-2014.  Mr. Williams is admitted to practice law before the Louisiana Supreme Court, the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana, as well as the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.  He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Inc., as well as the Louisiana Association for Justice (LAJ).

Throughout his career, Jay is often a speaker at continuing legal education (CLE) seminars and has received several accolades and honors, including:

• The National Academy of Jurisprudence – Premier 100 Attorney in Louisiana;
• Dillard University -Top “40 Under 40” Distinguished Alumni & Outstanding Young Alumni Award;
• The American Institute of Personal Injury Lawyers – 10 Best Attorneys in Louisiana for providing Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service;
• Mentor, Legal Education Advancing Diversity (L.E.A.D.) Program;
• The National Trial Lawyers – “Top 40 Under 40” Civil Plaintiff Attorney;
• America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys;
• Super Lawyers (Rising Stars 2020 – 2022, Super Lawyers 2023 – present);
• New Orleans Magazine recognized him as a “Kingfish” January 2023;
• Validectorian, New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) Baking & Pastry Arts – June 2024;

Inspired by compassion to serve and deliver justice to victims of serious injury, Jay’s practice primarily focuses on personal injury, civil litigation, and class action cases.  Jatavian is married to his high school sweetheart, Tia. Together, the pair are the proud parents to their two beautiful daughters, Jayla and Jordyn.  When not in the courtroom, Jay trades in his briefcase to delight in the culinary world as a Certified Pastry Chef.   Jatavian’s determination proves firsthand that the sweetest success in life often stems from pursuing passions of the heart.