Derek Williams’s remarkable career in law and public service can be traced directly back to his time at the Hinckley Institute of Politics. After graduating from the University of Utah in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in Middle East Area Studies, Williams went on to earn his law degree from the S.J. Quinney College of Law in 2003. But it was his Hinckley experience, especially his internship, that set everything in motion.

As an undergraduate, Williams frequently attended forums and other events sponsored by the Hinckley Institute. 

The variety of high-level speakers was very interesting and certainly helpful to my underlying studies and degree path. The Hinckley Institute was especially fun and interesting during political campaigns and elections…these on-campus events also provided valuable opportunities for students to meet and network with influential people, and begin building professional relationships.

In 1996, Williams began a life-changing Hinckley internship with the Health Division of the Utah Attorney General’s Office. Tasked with researching whether Utah should join other states in suing major tobacco companies, he delivered a recommendation that helped prompt the state’s participation in the landmark tobacco litigation.

Williams’s work during that internship led to a position with Attorney General Jan Graham, assisting with public policy initiatives and the management of the case. 

The tobacco litigation ultimately settled, and by 1998, I was working full-time for Attorney General Graham. My responsibilities had expanded to include helping get bills passed through the Utah legislature on priorities of the Utah Attorney General’s Office, including how to use over $800 billion dollars that was coming to the State as a result of the settlement with the tobacco companies. 

Although his work with the Attorney General’s office ultimately ended in 2000, this experience served as the catalyst for his impressive legal career.

Leading up to the 2000 election, Attorney General Graham informed me she would not be running for reelection and as a result my appointed position would go away after the election. She encouraged me to take the LSAT and consider going to law school. With her encouragement and letter of recommendation, I ended up going to law school at the S.J. Quinney College of Law from 2001-2003.

The relationships and mentorship he developed at the Attorney General’s office opened doors to a long and successful legal career, including 17 years as an associate and shareholder at Snow Christensen & Martineau and, most recently, his appointment as a judge on Utah’s Third District Court in 2025.

I will forever be grateful to, and a supporter of, the Hinckley Institute of Politics and strongly recommend anyone to engage in the opportunities the institute presents…perhaps it will change your professional career path as it did mine.