Tulsa-based Williams Companies, Inc. announced Tuesday that United States Magistrate Judge T. Lane Wilson will become the company’s senior vice president and general counsel, according to a company press release. Wilson succeeds Sarah Miller, who previously announced her resignation. Judge Wilson will report directly to Williams President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Armstrong.
Judge Wilson brings extensive legal expertise to Williams. He has served as the U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma since 2009. In 2016, Judge Wilson was appointed to the Judicial Conference Committee on Criminal Law by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
Prior to his appointment as a U.S. Magistrate Judge, Wilson was a shareholder and member of the board of directors for Hall Estill, an Oklahoma-based law firm, from 1994 to 2008. At Hall Estill, Wilson managed a team of lawyers that specialized in trying complex commercial litigation matters focused in the areas of oil and gas, construction, telecommunications and intellectual property. Wilson also has prior energy industry experience, having previously worked for Exxon early in his career.
Judge Wilson has also served as an Adjunct Settlement Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma from 2003 to 2008. He was also a member of the Grievance Committee for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma from 2007 to 2008.
“Judge Wilson is an outstanding leader with a brilliant legal mind, and we are excited he will be Williams’ general counsel,” said Alan Armstrong, Williams’ President and Chief Executive Officer. “His vast legal experience, which includes exceptional legal expertise in oil and gas matters, will serve our company well.”
Judge Wilson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1989 from the University of Tulsa. Wilson also earned his Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1994. While an undergraduate at Tulsa, Wilson was a member of the university’s varsity men’s tennis team, winning an individual conference championship. He is currently a volunteer tennis coach at Tulsa’s Booker T. Washington High School and has served as president of the Eisenhower International School Foundation in Tulsa. He was also recognized in 2013 with the Northeastern Oklahoma Black Lawyers Association Service Award.
Judge Wilson will join Williams on April 17, 2017.