Leader Sydney Batch
Sydney Batch is a true advocate for the people of Wake County and the State of North Carolina—both in and out of the state legislature.
As a family law attorney, child welfare advocate, and social worker, she has spent more than two decades of her career fighting for families navigating tough decisions and uncertain futures.
In 2018, Sydney was elected to represent Southern Wake County in the North Carolina House of Representatives, entering the legislature with a clear goal: to improve the lives of her constituents and build a North Carolina that works for everyone. In 2021, she was appointed to the North Carolina Senate, where she continues to fight for opportunity, justice, and common-sense reform.
Today, Sydney serves as the Leader of the North Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus—the first woman and the first Black woman to hold this historic position. She brings her personal and professional experience to every policy decision, always guided by her commitment to prioritize the well-being of North Carolina families.
Throughout her time in office, Sydney has sponsored more than one hundred pieces of legislation to expand access to affordable health care, ensure clean drinking water and safe air, support paid family leave, improve mental health services, and guarantee every child has access to a high-quality public education. She has consistently fought for legislation that supports small businesses, protects working families, and gives every North Carolinian the tools to thrive.
A proud “Triple Tar Heel,” Sydney earned her undergraduate degree, Juris Doctorate, and Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a founding partner at Batch, Poore & Williams, P.C., where she practices family and child welfare law alongside her husband, J. Patrick Williams. Together, they live in Wake County with their two sons.
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.
During her time serving in the Legislature, Sydney has introduced and sponsored more than one hundred pieces of legislation. 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.