Ted Williams, left, on the May 31st episode of ''On the Record with Greta Van Susteren.” (Special to the American Press)
Lake Charles native legal analyst for Fox News show
Last Modified: Thursday, June 07, 2012 5:16 PM
By Taylor Prejean / American Press
A Lake Charles native, now a Washington, D.C., attorney and legal analyst for the Fox News show “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren,” has become “a favorite among the viewers,” according to the show’s host.
Ted Williams, who grew up in the Brownsville area of Lake Charles, said he never dreamed he would one day be on television.
“I never in my wildest imagination saw myself as ever being on television analyzing cases before millions of people in the country,” Williams said.
He said he worked for a local developer while in high school, and later as a paper boy for the American Press.
“I think one of the best experiences I had in Lake Charles was working at the American Press,” he said. “It gave me the opportunity to be a businessperson for myself.”
While still in Lake Charles, Williams said his relationship with local attorney Eugene Lawes inspired him to pursue a legal education.
He said he enlisted in the military after high school, then earned a master’s degree before beginning law school. He also worked as a Washington, D.C., police officer and federal agent.
After law school, he got a show through 20th Century Fox called “Power of Attorney.” Fox News picked him up as a contributor after two years on the show.
Since then, Williams said he has been all over the country with Van Susteren, covering some of the nation’s highest-profile cases and legal issues.
Williams said his law enforcement and legal experience give him a unique perspective.
“There is a great deal that I draw from the law enforcement side,” he said. “You can instinctively pick up on when litigants are telling the truth by virtue of my training.”
Van Susteren told the American Press in a telephone interview that she frequently calls on Williams to contribute on her legal panel because of his experience.
“First of all, he’s been a police officer, which brings a whole new dynamic to it, so he’s basically a twofer,” she said. “I get the police officer background, and I get the legal background.”
Van Susteren said she and Williams have become friends over the years while covering most of the nation’s major criminal cases, including the O.J. Simpson and Casey Anthony trials.
She said Williams’ practical experience sets him apart from other attorneys she could call on to offer commentary.
“I want to get that extra edge for our show at 10 o’clock. We’re the last show in prime time, so I need people with the best experience, with real experience who haven’t just studied about it. That’s why Ted’s such a great guest,” she said.
Van Susteren said Williams is like a brother to her, and she believes viewers appreciate the rapport between her and the legal analysts. “We can poke fun at each other, but still keep to the issues,” she said.
Williams said his law practice and his television work have made for a satisfying career, and he owes a great deal to Van Susteren for making him a part of her show.
“I like educating the public as a whole on matters of public concern, and I also like to, as a lawyer, be able to help my fellow person out,” Williams said.
Posted By: Ed McSherry On: 2/25/2013
Title: Chronogly
Williams was obviously commentating as a former police detective on the Van Susteren show. Then, just a few years later he started appearing again, only this time as a lawyer. The article is actually lying about Wiliams background-qualifications through obfuscation.
Williams can only have started as a lawyer several years ago, tops. He can't possibly have any substantive background in the legal profession.
In a few years, Williams would have had to go from being a police detective-commentator on the Van Susteren show, to law shcool, and then back on the Van Sustern show as a great "legal mind" in about fives years. Please.
Also, please, someone explain how Williams received a masters degree without an undergraduate degree. What is the masters degree, and from where?
Wiliams is billed on the Van Susteren show as a top lawyer in the U.S. Odd that this article has no mention at all about where Williams went to law school, or any mention of any other school he attended.
Posted By: Cary Vercher On: 6/9/2012
Title:
Does the writer of this article , or anyone else, know where and how long Mr. Williams practiced law?
Get Social With Us!
+Share