Getty Trust’s Williams to Join L.A. Law Office

Harold M. Williams, who recently retired as president of the J. Paul Getty Trust after overseeing the creation of the Getty Center museum in Brentwood, plans next month to join the Los Angeles office of the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, the firm is expected to announce today.

Williams, 70, remains president emeritus of the Getty Trust after running the foundation for 17 years. He joined the trust after serving four years as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Jimmy Carter administration.

“Harold Williams’ extraordinary experience in government, business and not-for-profit sectors will be a great asset to our clients,” said Robert C. Sheehan, Skadden Arps’ executive partner.

Before joining the SEC, Williams was dean of UCLA’s Graduate School of Management, and he also was on the University of California’s Board of Regents for 12 years. He has a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a law degree from Harvard University.

Williams also worked at the Norton Simon Inc. food-products concern in the 1960s, becoming president of its Hunt Foods group and later chairman of Norton Simon. Williams also is a director of Times Mirror Co., publisher of the Los Angeles Times.

Skadden Arps is one of the nation’s biggest law firms, with about 1,200 lawyers in 21 offices. One of its specialties is advising corporations involved in mergers and acquisitions.