Fred Williams joined Steptoe & Johnson in 2002. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Williams was a partner for several years in Snell & Wilmer, a Phoenix based law firm of over 360 attorneys. Mr. Williams concentrates his practice in tax, business and public finance matters, as well as government relations. Mr. Williams' experience includes significant involvement in complex business transactions, preparation of offering documents for both public and private securities offerings, involvement in a variety of economic development projects, appearing before legislative bodies on business and public law matters, drafting legislation on tax and public law matters, extensive representation of public entities in public finance and other matters and representation of both public and private entities in the structuring and financing of professional sports facilities.   Mr. Williams is also recognized in The Best Lawyers in America in the fields of corporate law, project finance law, public finance law, structured finance law,  tax law and trusts and estates. 

Taxation
Mr. Williams represents clients in various tax matters to include:

• Counseling clients on the tax and business aspects of structuring complex business transactions
• Counseling clients on the creation, operation and dissolution of corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships
• Representing non-profit organizations
• Preparing wills, trusts and other pertinent estate planning documents
• Representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service and State Tax Department

Tax-Exempt Finance
Mr. Williams has represented a number of public entities, underwriters and financial advisors with respect to the issuance, underwriting and structuring of tax-exempt bond issues and with respect to the tax rules applicable to such issues.

Governmental Affairs
Mr. Williams has lobbied before state and local legislative bodies and has drafted legislation dealing with tax, finance and economic development matters. He has also provided advice to state and local governmental entities on open meeting, economic development and public finance issues.

Business Law
Mr. Williams has represented a wide range of business interests in a variety of transactions, including, mergers and acquisitions, and preparation of general business agreements.

Mr. Williams is a member of the State Bar of Arizona, State Bar of West Virginia, Kentucky Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is also active in several community organizations. Mr. Williams serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Huntington Area Development Council.

He served as Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Revenue and State Tax Commissioner from 1990 to 1991 and was an Executive Assistant to Governor Gaston N. Caperton from 1991 to 1992. In 1992 Mr. Williams was designated a "Distinguished West Virginian" by Governor Gaston Caperton.

He received his law degree from West Virginia University College of Law in 1981 and was a member of that school’s Law Review. He received his Masters of Law in Taxation in 1984 from the University of Florida. Mr. Williams received his undergraduate degree in accounting from Wheeling Jesuit University graduating magna cum laude. Mr. Williams is a Certified Public Accountant.