**Judge Karen M. Williams** was appointed to the District of New Jersey by President Joseph R. Biden in 2021, having previously served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the same district from 2009 to 2021. She is the first Senate-confirmed African American federal judge to sit in the Camden, New Jersey courthouse. Judge Williams spent 17 years in private practice at Jasinski & Williams, P.C. in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where her practice focused on employment law, including litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative bodies. She also served as an adjunct professor at Rowan University. **Education** - Temple University School of Law, J.D., 1992 - Pennsylvania State University, B.S., 1985 **Career** - Private practice, Atlantic City, NJ (employment law), 1992–2009 - U.S. Magistrate Judge, District of New Jersey, 2009–2021 - Adjunct Professor, Rowan University, 2020–2021 - U.S. District Judge, District of New Jersey, 2021–present
**Division:** Camden **Courthouse:** Mitchell H. Cohen Building & U.S. Courthouse, 4th & Cooper Streets, Camden, NJ 08101 **Chambers:** Courtroom 4A **Phone:** (856) 757-6843 **Email:** njdnef_Williams@njd.uscourts.gov **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy: Nicole Ramos, (856) 757-5402 - Court Reporter: Sherri Benson, (856) 576-7014
Courtesy copies are required for briefs and supporting papers. Details: delivery upon filing. Courtesy copies of briefs and supporting papers required per Local Rule 7.1(g).
Judge Karen M. Williams' formatting rule includes file format PDF and text-searchable. All parties except pro se must file documents via ECF in text-searchable PDF format.
The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. In limine motions due 3 weeks before trial; responsive papers due 2 weeks before trial.
The rule requires joint submission, hard copy, and email submission. Joint jury questionnaire (hard copy + email) due 3 weeks before trial.
Parties may contact Judge Karen M. Williams' chambers by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. All communications with chambers must be filed via ECF; no hard copies.
Judge Karen M. Williams's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include reason for request, number of previous requests, previous requests granted or denied, and adversary position. Adjournment requests must include specific information and comply with Local Rule 6.1.
Adjournment requests must include specific information and comply with Local Rule 6.1.
Juror note taking may be allowed; discussed with counsel before trial.
All communications with chambers must be filed via ECF; no hard copies.
Criminal matters: contact courtroom deputy Nicole Ramos at (856) 757-5402, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
All parties except pro se must file documents via ECF in text-searchable PDF format.
Courtesy copies of briefs and supporting papers required per Local Rule 7.1(g).
In limine motions due 3 weeks before trial; responsive papers due 2 weeks before trial.
Live testimony preferred; videotaped testimony allowed only against blank background.
Exhibits must be clearly labeled, dated, tabbed, and indexed.
Joint jury questionnaire (hard copy + email) due 3 weeks before trial.
Joint jury charges (Word format + email) due 2 weeks before trial.
Joint verdict sheet (Word format + email) due 2 weeks before trial.
All trial exhibits must be digitized and uploaded to dedicated server.
Weapons/narcotics/currency not sent to jury room; viewed in courtroom with marshal.
Notice required for electronic demonstrative evidence.
Juror questions for witnesses allowed in civil cases with all parties' agreement.
Defendant and counsel cannot review probation sentencing recommendation.