Harrisburg, Pa. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that partner Derrick Price Williamson recently was honored with the Clarence C. Morrison Equal Professional Opportunity Award by the Dauphin County Bar Association (DCBA).

The Morrison Award is bestowed annually on a single outstanding member of the DCBA. Each honoree must meet the standard of “significant contribution” to the advancement of equal professional opportunity in the local bar and community.

“Derrick’s recognition reflects Spilman’s unwavering commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Tai Shadrick Kluemper, who serves as Spilman’s Director of Diversity Recruitment & Development. “At Spilman, we firmly believe that embracing diverse perspectives leads to more innovative and effective solutions for our clients. This honor underscores the real-world impact of Derrick’s long-standing dedication to building a more inclusive legal community.”

Williamson has been a steadfast advocate for diversity in the legal profession, having served approximately 25 years on the DCBA’s Equal Professional Opportunity Committee. He also played a key contributing role in developing the Capital Area Managing Partners’ (CAMP) 1L summer program and diversity initiative, which focuses on creating opportunities for deserving but underrepresented law students.

In both his prior role as a Hiring Partner and in his current position as Member in Charge of Spilman’s Greater Harrisburg Office, Williamson has consistently employed efforts to diversify the legal field in the Capital region.

With more than 30 years of experience in public utility and energy law, Williamson is widely regarded as a leader in his field. He has been repeatedly selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for energy law. In fact, he earned the distinction as the Best Lawyers' Energy Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Harrisburg in both 2016 and 2020.

Williamson is a graduate of the University of Maryland (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and Duke University School of Law (Research Editor, Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum). In addition to his legal practice, he also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law, where he has taught Administrative Law and Energy Law & Policy.

A Veteran of the United States Army, Williamson is also active in furthering Veterans' support initiatives as a member of the Military & Veterans Affairs Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

About Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC
Spilman Thomas & Battle is a full-service, super-regional law firm serving local, regional, national, and international businesses. Founded in 1864, Spilman has offices in Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, and Wheeling, West Virginia; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Roanoke, Virginia; and St. Augustine, Florida.