Derrick L. Williams, Workers Comp Attorney in Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, SC
Trusted workers comp attorney serving Columbia.
Practices in
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Quick answer
Derrick L. Williams is an attorney based in Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA. The practice focuses on Workers Comp. Currently practicing at Williams & Roche LLC.
- Based in
- Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- Workers Comp
- Handles Workers Comp matters from Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA.
- Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants, Columbia (SC) (2024).
About Derrick L. Williams: Derrick L. Williams is an attorney based in Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA. The practice focuses on Workers Comp. Currently practicing at Williams & Roche LLC.
Areas of practice
Derrick's practice areas in Columbia
Derrick concentrates on workers comp. Each area below outlines the kind of case Derrick handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Workers Comp cases in Columbia, South Carolina
Derrick takes workers comp matters in Columbia, South Carolina. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Derrick agrees to represent you.
Biography
Derrick L. Williams, workers comp attorney serving Columbia
Derrick L. Williams is an attorney based in Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA. The practice focuses on Workers Comp. Currently practicing at Williams & Roche LLC. Derrick works from Columbia, South Carolina and takes on workers comp matters across the region.
Former Commissioner Derrick L. Williams is one of the youngest-ever to be appointed to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. He was appointed in March 2007, and he served until January 31, 2013, when he decided to return to private practice. He is responsible for spear-heading the effort to make mediation of workers’ compensation available for complex injury by accident cases in South Carolina.
Prior to joining the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission, he was an associate at a national law firm based in South Carolina. He practiced in the areas of business litigation, franchise and distribution litigation, and labor and employment. He began his legal career at a mid-size insurance defense firm, where his litigation background included defending workers’ compensation claims for insurance companies, and insurance defense litigation. As a founding partner with Williams & Roche, Derrick’s practice is devoted to representing injured workers and serving as a mediator for all civil litigation matters. Derrick is a member of the National Academy Distinguished Neutrals.
Derrick earned a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2002, where he was a member of the South Carolina Environmental Law Journal. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in the Honors Program at the College of Charleston in 1999. He ran Cross Country and Track for the College of Charleston, and he was the team captain of both his senior season.
Born in Florence, South Carolina he and his family moved later to Columbia, South Carolina, where he graduated from Dreher High School. He is the Past President of the Riverbanks Zoo Society Board. He is the first black President of the College of Charleston Alumni Association (now the Immediate Past President) and also serves on the College of Charleston Honors College Advisory Board and the College of Charleston English Department Alumni Advisory Board. He has previously been a member in the American Bar Association, where he was involved in the T.I.P.S. Workers’ Compensation Section. He is a member of the John Belton O’Neall American Inn of Court. Derrick also previously served on the South Carolina Board of Law Examiners. He serves on the Executive Committee for the Richland County Bar Association. He also serves on the Central Carolina Community Foundation Board, where he is the Secretary/Treasurer.
Working with Derrick on a workers comp matter
Former Commissioner Derrick L. Williams is one of the youngest-ever to be appointed to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. He was appointed in March 2007, and he served until January 31, 2013, when he decided to return to private practice. He is responsible for spear-heading the effort to make mediation of workers’ compensation available for complex injury by accident cases in…
Clients Derrick works with
Derrick reviews new inquiries case-by-case for workers comp matters in Columbia and the surrounding South Carolina area.
Credentials
Credentials — where Derrick studied and practices
The University of South Carolina School of Law
J.D. · 2002
Derrick studied at J.D. in The University of South Carolina School of Law.
Law school and academic background
Derrick completed J.D. in The University of South Carolina School of Law. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Derrick runs in South Carolina is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Derrick's legal honors and published work
Derrick has received 2 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Lawyer of the Year — Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants, Columbia (SC)
2024
Best Lawyers in America — Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants
2026
Legal awards and honors
Lawyer of the Year — Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants, Columbia (SC) (2024). Best Lawyers in America — Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants (2026).
Locations
Derrick L. Williams's office in Columbia
Derrick's primary office is at 2442 Devine Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29202. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Derrick L. Williams
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Derrick L. Williams — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new workers comp attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Derrick usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Derrick charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Derrick's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Derrick will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a workers comp attorney in Columbia, South Carolina
A short list to run through before you commit: How many workers comp matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Derrick
Derrick discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in workers comp practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every workers comp matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Derrick confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Derrick's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many workers comp practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Derrick L. Williams
How much does it cost to hire Derrick for a workers comp case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Derrick walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Derrick offer a free consultation?
Derrick charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Derrick's office. Some workers comp attorneys offer free consults — check Derrick's current terms during booking.
How long do workers comp cases in South Carolina typically take?
Simple workers comp matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Derrick gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Derrick take my case if I'm outside Columbia?
Derrick is licensed in South Carolina. Matters governed by South Carolina law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Derrick will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Derrick?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Derrick will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Derrick accepting new workers comp clients right now?
Derrick's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Workers Comp attorneys serving Columbia, Charleston and Greenville in South Carolina
Derrick handles workers comp matters throughout South Carolina. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified workers comp attorneys in that community.
- Columbia4,189 attorneys
- Charleston2,702 attorneys
- Greenville2,449 attorneys
- Mount Pleasant1,100 attorneys
- Spartanburg583 attorneys
- Myrtle Beach506 attorneys
- North Charleston476 attorneys
- Lexington379 attorneys
- Rock Hill372 attorneys
- Hilton Head Island347 attorneys
- Florence335 attorneys
- Summerville299 attorneys
More counsel
Other top-rated workers comp attorneys in South Carolina
If Derrick's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these workers comp attorneys in Columbia handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.





