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Max Williams understands why some people are surprised when they hear he鈥檚 now leading Oregon鈥檚 largest philanthropic organization. After all, before becoming the president and CEO of The Oregon Community Foundation, Williams had a private legal practice and served as head of the Oregon Department of Corrections.

However varied his past and present jobs may seem, though, they鈥檙e actually all connected by a common thread. They all offer Williams a chance to make a significant difference in the state where he was born, raised and trained as an attorney.

Williams was inspired to become an attorney by a family friend who practiced in his hometown of Bend.

鈥淚 would go visit his office and there were always people there he was helping, and it seemed interesting because it was always about helping people solve problems,鈥� Williams said.

After graduating from Lewis & Clark Law School in 1991, Williams spent 12 years as a litigator with Miller Nash. During that period, Williams served as a state legislator. At the request of Ted Kulongoski, who was governor at the time, Williams moved into the position of head of the state corrections department.

Williams recently took some time to share with Briefly Legal how private practice, a job in corrections and serving as president of the state鈥檚 largest philanthropic organization have shaped his career. His responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Briefly Legal: What were some of the biggest challenges of being in private practice?

Williams: We ask a lot from young lawyers, and I think people are striving to find balance between work and personal time. Even the firms are looking for ways to offer balance so they don鈥檛 burn people out because they recognize that being a more well-rounded person makes you a better lawyer.

BL: What was rewarding about the corrections department work?

Williams: I might not otherwise have had the opportunity to work for an organization with a budget of a billion dollars and more than 4,000 employees. It was also an opportunity to work on policy not just for the Department of Corrections, but for Oregon more broadly 鈥� and support a population that is often overlooked and misunderstood.

BL: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Williams: I have an old sailboat and I like sailing the rivers here and trailering it to the San Juan Islands. I also enjoy spending time with my family, I run and ride my bike, and I鈥檓 an avid reader of historical nonfiction with a Northwest focus.