A new day. A new voice.
Sydney Batch is a true advocate for the people of Wake County, both in and out of the state legislature.
For over a decade, Sydney has served as a family law attorney, child welfare advocate, and social worker. Sydney fights every day for families across Wake County that are facing difficult choices and increasing uncertainty about their futures. Whether stressed about sending their kids to a good public school, affording quality health care, paying back student loans, or finding a good, well-paid job, too many people feel the deck is stacked against them.
When Sydney was elected to serve the people of Wake County in 2018, she entered the legislature with a goal: to improve the lives of her constituents and build a North Carolina that works for all its citizens. During the 2019- 2020 legislative session, Sydney sponsored and cosponsored 48 bills, ranging from legislation to expand affordable healthcare to a bill ensuring clean drinking water for all North Carolinians. She took with her the stories and experiences of the families in her district and has kept them at the forefront of her mind. Sydney has consistently fought for common sense, comprehensive legislation that works for everyday North Carolinians.
As a native North Carolinian, Sydney understands the wants and needs of this state. Since her election in 2018 Sydney has fought in the legislature for common sense change that North Carolinians want to see. She has sponsored bills to ensure a quality, public education for all children, ensure safe air and clean drinking water, and expand access to affordable health care. Like all North Carolinians, Sydney wants hard working individuals to find employment, receive a fair paycheck, and receive paid leave when they need to care for themselves or a loved one.
Most of all, Sydney wants all North Carolinians to have opportunities, for themselves and their children, to succeed, thrive and build a better future.
In January 2021, Sydney Batch was appointed to the NC State Senate where she continues to advocate for the people of Wake County and North Carolina.
Experience
Sydney is a small business owner, social worker and attorney. She and her husband, Patrick Williams, own a small law firm in Wake County. She practices family law, child welfare law and appellate law, while serving in the NC Senate. Sydney is certified as a Child Welfare Law Specialist and a certified Parenting Coordinator.
While serving in the NC Senate, Sydney sponsored 64 bills and been the primary sponsor for 29 bills. These include bills addressing the impact of COVID-19 head on and bills that make Wake County a better place for everyone.
Sydney is actively involved as a volunteer in a variety of organizations involving both family law and juvenile matters. She is a current board member for Interfaith Prison Ministries for Women and a former board member for the Julia Crump Foundation and the Women’s Center of Wake County. She also volunteers as a pro bono attorney for The Child’s Advocate, a project of Legal Aid of North Carolina.
Professional Affiliations, Education, & Awards
Sydney is a Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist for the NC State Bar, as well as the National Association of Counsel for Children, and a Certified Parent Coordinator.
Sydney has held several committee roles and professional affiliations, including:
- NC Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Juvenile Justice and Children’s Rights Council with the NC Bar Association
- Interfaith Prison Ministry for Women
- North Carolina Leadership Forum
- NC State Bar Ethics Committee
- 10th Judicial District Grievance Committee Member
- Member of North Carolina State Bar
- Member of the NC State Bar Child Welfare Law Specialty Committee
- Member of the Chief Justice’s Commission on Race and Equity
- Member of the National Association for the Counsel of Children
- Former North Carolina Family Court Advisory Committee member, juvenile A/N/D representative
- Former North Carolina Family Court Advisory Subcommittee member, ad hoc workgroup on disproportionate representation of minority children in the child welfare system
- Former Faculty Member for New Parent Defender CLE held by the Institute of Government at UNC-CH
- Former Faculty Member for Parent Attorney Conferences held by the Institute of Government at UNC-CH
- Former Board Member for Julia Crump Foundation
- Former Board Member for the Women’s Center
Senator Batch has received the following awards and commendations:
- Council for Exceptional Children 2022 Child Advocacy Award
- 2022 North Carolina Advocates for Justice Legislative Award
- 2021 Prevent Child Abuse NC Legislative Leadership Award
- 2021 National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Legislator of the Year Award
- 2021 Inductee National Association of Women Business Owners Hall of Fame
- 2020 NC League of Conservation Voters Green Tie Rising Star Award
- Distinguished Alumni Award from UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work
- Lillian’s List Jan Allen Courage Award
- Wake Woman of the Year Award
- North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society
Sydney received her undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she remained for her Juris Doctorate and Masters of Social Work. Following law school, Sydney entered private practice with her husband, J. Patrick Williams.
In August 2020, Sydney won the 2020 Lillian’s List Jan Allen Courage Award for being a fierce advocate of women’s equality. In 2020 Sydney was also Nominated for the Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award, recognizing her as a fierce advocate for women in her community. In 2019 Sydney was awarded the “Wake Woman of the Year Award”, recognizing her contribution to supporting women and advancing the rights and welfare of women under the law. Since 2019 Sydney has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Top Rated Family Law attorney in Raleigh. Lastly, in 2017 Sydney was inducted into the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society.
Sydney and Patrick have lived in Wake County for more than fifteen years. In her spare time, Sydney enjoys reading, traveling, quilting, watching football, and spending time with her husband and two sons.