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Life, through its hazards and hopes, we are here to help.
Joseph m. Williams
Managing Attorney
Joey is a native Floridian splitting time between his Macclenny hometown and a second home in Hill City, South Dakota. Prior to being the youngest lawyer ever elected Judge in the State of Florida, he demonstrated a gift for advocacy working as a criminal defense attorney, civil litigator, and criminal prosecutor.
Joey was elected to six consecutive terms as Baker County Judge starting in 1992. Joey was a collegial member of the six-county 8th Circuit Judiciary. In the course of time, and by appointment of the Chief Judge, he presided over matters in all divisions- family, civil, and criminal- in all six counties of the Circuit. Joey also had the honor of serving as the County Administrative judge for Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union Counties.
Beyond his service in the 8th Judicial Circuit, Joey was very active at the State level. He served on the State Judicial Management Council by appointment of the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, appointed Judicial Liaison to the Florida Bar Board of Governors by its President, Presenter at the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, twice elected as President of the Florida Conference of County Court Judges of Florida, Recipient of the Harvey Ford Award- the highest recognition given to a judge by vote of all county judges throughout the State of Florida. Joey’s last distinction in his judicial career was being elected to serve on the Judicial Qualifications Commission which enforces the Code of Judicial Conduct for all state courts in the State of Florida.
Joey has been admitted to the Florida, Georgia, and South Dakota Bars; United States District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida; the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator and is a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee for the South Dakota Bar.
Taylor Mcquaide
Associate Attorney
Taylor McQuaide is an accomplished attorney with extensive experience in both civil and criminal law. She began her legal career in family law at a private law firm, gaining hands-on experience managing a wide range of family-related cases. Her passion for public service led her to various roles within the State, allowing her to refine her skills across multiple legal disciplines. As an Assistant State Attorney in Baker County, Florida, Taylor developed a deep connection to the community she now calls home. During this time, she met then Judge Joey Williams, laying the foundation for her future with J. M. Williams Attorneys & Counselors at Law. She later Transitioned into civil law, serving as a senior attorney with the Florida Department of transportation, where she handled eminent domain cases. This role strengthens her expertise in highly technical civil law and procedural matters. She then returned to criminal law as an Executive Senior Attorney and Regional Legal Adviser with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In this role, she oversaw legal matters for the agency and collaborated with Special Agents to prepare cases for prosecution, further enhancing her comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, from investigation to trial. In 2024, Taylor joined J.M. Williams Attorneys & Counselors at Law, bringing her wealth of experience to serve the community she loves. She is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Georgia and is a proud member of the Florida bar, the Georgia bar, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Federalist Society, and the University of Florida Alumni Association. Beyond her legal career, Taylor is deeply committed to service, volunteering with Guardian Ad Litem and the First Coast Woman's Center, among others. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons and is passionate about making a meaningful impact both inside and outside the courtroom. As a highly skilled and articulate litigator, Taylor is eager to advocate for clients in both civil and criminal matters, stepping in wherever needed to uphold the values and mission of J.M. Williams Attorneys and Counselors at Law.
NATHAN hall
Associate Attorney
With over a decade of dedicated legal practice in Florida, Attorney Nathan brings experience and a deep commitment to serving his clients' needs. Nathan began his career as a Florida Circuit Court staff attorney, then entered private practice in 2012. His practice spans a diverse range of areas but focuses on Estate Planning & Trusts, Probate, Guardianship, Real Estate, Adoptions, and Business Law.
Nathan is passionate about helping individuals and families plan for the future, secure their assets, build lasting legacies, and create new businesses and opportunities. Whether guiding clients through the complexities of estate administration, drafting business contracts, or setting estate plans in place to give families peace of mind, Nathan brings understanding and a willingness to tailor solutions to a client’s individual needs.
Beyond his legal practice, Nathan finds fulfillment in spending time with his family, pursuing his passion for writing, and continuously expanding his knowledge across a wide array of subjects. His dedication to both professional excellence and personal growth underscores his commitment to providing exceptional service and achieving favorable results for his clients.
Nathan is passionate about helping individuals and families plan for the future, secure their assets, build lasting legacies, and create new businesses and opportunities. Whether guiding clients through the complexities of estate administration, drafting business contracts, or setting estate plans in place to give families peace of mind, Nathan brings understanding and a willingness to tailor solutions to a client’s individual needs.
Beyond his legal practice, Nathan finds fulfillment in spending time with his family, pursuing his passion for writing, and continuously expanding his knowledge across a wide array of subjects. His dedication to both professional excellence and personal growth underscores his commitment to providing exceptional service and achieving favorable results for his clients.
Paul Hawkes
Of Counsel
Paul graduated from the Florida State University, College of Law, with Honors in 1985. While in law school Paul’s academic performance earned an opportunity to be part of the Florida State Law Review. On Law Review Paul served on the Law Review’s Board of Directors as Research Editor. Following law school Paul went to work for a commercial law firm, Rumburger, Kirk, Caldwell, Cabinas, and Burke, P.A., defending national corporations against product liability claims and other complex tort litigation. Paul left the firm to pursue public service opportunities.
Paul accepted an offer to serve as an Assistant State Attorney in the Fifth Circuit where he prosecuted all levels of criminal offenses. Paul then left the State Attorney’s office and opened his own law office so he could run for election to the Florida House of Representatives. In his two terms, 1990-1994, in the Florida House, Paul represented parts of Citrus, Marion, and Hernando Counties.
In 1996, when the Republicans won the Majority in the Florida House for the first time since 1874, Paul served as Special Counsel to the first Republican Speaker in 122 years, Daniel Webster. In his role as special counsel to Speaker Webster, Paul was instrumental in drafting new Rules for the Florida House, made referral recommendations on all legislation filed in the House, and oversaw special projects. In 2001, Paul had the opportunity to return to the Florida House as Chief of Policy and Special Counsel for Speaker Tom Feeney. In this capacity Paul advised Speaker Feeney on all policy issues arising in the Florida House.
Paul received a House Speaker appointment to the 1997/1998 Florida Constitutional Revision Commission serving as the Chair of the ‘Bonding and Investments’ Committee. The Constitutional Revision Commission proposed 9 diverse revisions; Florida’s voters adopted 8.
In 2000, Governor Bush employed Paul in his Office of Policy and Budget. Governor Bush appointed Paul to serve as his ‘efficiency czar’ – responsible for identifying efficiencies and outsourcing opportunities requiring Paul to work closely with each of the Governor’s agencies. Paul’s title was Deputy Director of the Office of Policy and Budget, and he was registered to lobby for the Governor’s legislative agenda.
In 2003, Governor Bush appointed Paul to the First District Court of Appeal. Paul served as an appellate judge for 9 years, being twice retained by the citizens in the 31 counties of North Florida. During 2007 Paul became the youngest judge elected by his peers to serve as the court’s Chief Judge. During his tenure Paul was successful in obtaining legislative approval and funding for the first electronic filing system successfully implemented in in the Florida state courts.
Paul currently engages in the general practice of both appellate law and trial practice and has been chosen by both the State employees’ union and the State of Florida, to serve as an arbiter in employee discipline disputes. Paul also represents various entities before the Florida Legislature as a lobbyist.
Kevin Alvarez
Of Counsel
Kevin Alvarez is a board-certified attorney with thirteen years of experience in private practice. He has represented over 1,000 people in criminal cases and other litigation, including complex civil, in State and Federal courts. The Florida Bar Board Certified him in Criminal Trial law. Less than 8 percent of all lawyers in Florida are Board-Certified in their respective practice areas.
Kevin knows that a successful resolution in many cases requires an immediate and thorough investigation led by an experienced attorney. That is his promise to his clients: hard work, diligence, skilled investigation, and a fight for the best possible outcome.
As an undergraduate student, Kevin interned at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in his hometown of Ocala, Florida, where he gained experience in the inner workings of that law enforcement agency, including the violent crimes division, the sex crimes division, uniformed patrol and the jail. His law degree is from the Florida State University College of Law and he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology and political science from Florida State University. He completed both degrees in a total of four years (three years less than a standard track).
He is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, both local and statewide, and his dog Wentz is a regular visitor at his downtown Tallahassee office. In his free time, Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashely, a lawyer herself, and their daughter.
As an undergraduate student, Kevin interned at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in his hometown of Ocala, Florida, where he gained experience in the inner workings of that law enforcement agency, including the violent crimes division, the sex crimes division, uniformed patrol and the jail. His law degree is from the Florida State University College of Law and he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology and political science from Florida State University. He completed both degrees in a total of four years (three years less than a standard track).
He is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, both local and statewide, and his dog Wentz is a regular visitor at his downtown Tallahassee office. In his free time, Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashely, a lawyer herself, and their daughter.
Our full team of attorneys consists of Nathan Hall (Associate), Paul Hawkes (Of Counsel), Joseph M. Williams (Managing Attorney), Taylor McQuaide (Associate), and Kevin Alvarez (Of Counsel).