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Durham County Names NCCU Alum as New County Attorney

Phyllis Coley @phyllis_coley
Williamson

DURHAM, NC – The Durham Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has officially appointed Larissa S. Williamson as the new County Attorney, a position that has remained vacant since January 2024. The announcement was made during the BOCC’s regular session on October 14, 2024.

Williamson was sworn into her new role by Superior Court Judge Josephine Davis, who administered the oath of office.

In her remarks regarding her selection, Williamson expressed her excitement: “Durham County is not only known as a vibrant city, but also a wonderful place to live, work, and play. I am thrilled to ensure that Durham County continues to be a model for progress in North Carolina. It is truly an honor that the Board trusts me with this enormous responsibility.”

Having dedicated her career to Durham County Government since 2018, Williamson has served in several roles, most recently as the deputy county attorney. In that capacity, she worked closely with department heads and supervisors, representing the Human Resources Department, Sheriff’s Office, and Tax Administration Department. Her responsibilities included advising various citizen boards and leading the County’s responses to public records requests. Over her six years with Durham County, she has represented the County in numerous forums, including the Middle District of North Carolina, state District and Superior Courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Employment Security Commission.

Before her time with Durham County, Williamson began her legal career as an assistant public defender at the Fayetteville Public Defender’s Office. She then served as a special deputy attorney general with the North Carolina Department of Justice (DOJ), where she acted as lead attorney in trials and hearings across North Carolina state courts and agency forums.

Williamson earned her undergraduate and professional degrees from North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where she received her Juris Doctor from the NCCU School of Law. She proudly becomes the first female Durham County Attorney with over twenty years of experience representing state and local government agencies.

Williamson’s appointment signifies a progressive step for Durham County, reinforcing its commitment to strong legal leadership and effective governance.