Colonel Sarah E. Williams is the Deputy Commandant of The Judge Advocate General’s School (AFJAGS) at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. The faculty and staff are responsible for the education and training of approximately 26,000 legal professionals and senior leaders throughout the Air and Space Forces and the Department of Defense.
Colonel Williams received a direct commission as an Air Force judge advocate in February 2008 and entered active duty in March 2008. She previously served as an area defense counsel, assistant professor of law and executive officer at the United States Air Force Academy, senior special victims’ counsel, chief of officer accessions for The Judge Advocate General’s Corps, and a staff judge advocate. In 2009, she deployed in support of Task Force 134 as a liaison officer to the Central Criminal Court of Iraq.
A native of Morris, Illinois, Colonel Williams is admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Supreme Court of Illinois, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Arts degree in History, cum laude, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL
2007 Juris Doctor, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, IL
2011 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2015 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2019 Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 2008 – August 2010, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate (Chief of Adverse Actions, Military Justice), Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, GA (December 2009 – July 2010, Liaison Officer, Central Criminal Court of Iraq, Task Force 134 and Law and Order Task Force, Iraq)
2. August 2010 – July 2011, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate (Chief of General Law), 62d Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
3. July 2011 – June 2013, Area Defense Counsel, Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
4. June 2013 – June 2016, Assistant Professor of Law, Department of Law, United States Air Force Academy, CO (June 2015 – June 2016, Executive Officer, Department of Law, United States Air Force Academy, CO)
5. June 2016 – June 2018, Senior Special Victims’ Counsel – Western Circuit, Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Travis Air Force Base, CA
6. June 2018 – July 2020, Chief, Accessions Branch, Professional Development Directorate, Office of The Judge Advocate General, Headquarters, United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, DC
7. July 2020 – June 2022, Staff Judge Advocate, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC (August 2022 – September 2022, Legal Advisor, Task Force Holloman, Operation Allies Welcome, Holloman AFB, NM)
8. July 2022 – Present, Deputy Commandant, The Judge Advocate General’s School, Maxwell AFB, AL
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Iraq Campaign Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Short Tour
2008 Distinguished Graduate, Commissioned Officer Training
2008 Robert L. Lowry Award, Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course
2010 Air Mobility Command Outstanding Young Judge Advocate of the Year
2015 United States Air Force Academy Dean of the Faculty Field Grade Officer of the Year
2015 Secretary of the Air Force General Counsel Alternative Dispute Resolution Individual Award
2017 Air Force Legal Operations Agency Field Grade Officer of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
First Lieutenant 2 March 2008
Captain 1 September 2008
Major 1 July 2015
Lieutenant Colonel 1 August 2020
Colonel 1 April 2025
(Current as of April 2025)