Rawsi Williams

Rawsi Williams is a Florida-based civil rights attorney, registered nurse, and United States Army veteran. With dual licensure in both law and nursing, she belongs to a rare group of professionals who unite the fields of healthcare and legal advocacy. Her practice encompasses federal, state, and administrative cases, with a focus on civil rights, constitutional law, employment law, education, and government accountability. She gained national attention after securing a unanimous $2 million jury verdict in a federal excessive force case—still the largest pure police brutality verdict within that jurisdiction. Additionally, she is one of only four attorneys in four decades to successfully defeat the Florida High School Athletic Association on behalf of a student-athlete.

Personal Roots and Defining Moments

Raised in a family of five children, Rawsi’s perspective on justice was shaped by personal experience. When her only brother was incarcerated, she developed a deep commitment to speaking for those silenced by systemic injustice. Years later, her brother became a victim of police brutality in Killeen, Texas, when officers repeatedly tased him inside an ambulance after a seizure, dragged him outside, and arrested him. Although the judge found no probable cause for the arrest, the incident remains central to her mission, with a federal case against the officers still ongoing.

Military Foundations and Discipline

Before her legal career, Rawsi Williams served in the United States Army as a nurse. The military instilled in her discipline, leadership, and resilience—qualities she would later carry into both nursing and law. Her military service also provided experience in medical records, further strengthening her dual expertise in this area.

Academic Path and Professional Training

Rawsi attended Tuskegee University, where she broke barriers as the first female Ranger in the school’s Army ROTC program. She later earned her Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law, sharpening her litigation skills. Over the years, she has pursued additional professional certifications, becoming a recognized keynote speaker and lecturer on civil rights, healthcare, and justice.

Broad Legal Practice and Court Admissions

Rawsi is licensed to practice in all Florida state courts as well as the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida. Additionally, she has been admitted pro hac vice in the Western District of Texas and the Northern District of Georgia. Her courtroom practice covers civil rights, employment disputes, constitutional issues, and administrative law, with cases argued before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Her legal work has drawn coverage on national television, in major newspapers, and across radio platforms.

Champion of Civil Rights Litigation

Rawsi has established a strong national reputation in police misconduct and civil rights litigation. She has represented clients in excessive force, wrongful death, and unlawful detention cases. Among her most notable victories is the Fort Myers excessive force case, which ended in a $2 million jury award—a landmark result in Florida federal court.

Advocacy for Students and Educational Justice

In addition to civil rights, Rawsi has championed student protections. She has successfully challenged disciplinary actions, athletic suspensions, and Title IX violations. Her historic victory against the Florida High School Athletic Association underscores her role as a defender of fairness for student-athletes.

Healthcare, Licensing, and Administrative Law

Drawing on her nursing background, Rawsi Williams represents healthcare professionals and institutions in licensure and administrative disputes. She has defended nurses, educators, long-term care facilities, and healthcare organizations. She is also certified as an Assisted Living Facility Administrator and serves as an approved trainer for Assisted Living and Adult Family Care Homes. Her nursing licenses extend beyond Florida to the District of Columbia, West Virginia, and New Mexico.

Public Recognition and Leadership Roles

Her professional excellence has been recognized through numerous awards and appointments.

• 2024: Appointed Co-Chair of the Civil Rights Committee, Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association.
• 2023: Advisor, Civil Rights Roundtable, University of Miami School of Law; recipient of the Lawyer in Leadership in Civil Rights Award.
• 2021: National Lawyer of Distinction in Civil Litigation; Keynote speaker, Florida Association of Directors of Nursing; Community Activist Woman of the Year.
• 2020: Keynote speaker, Pasco County NAACP Freedom Fund Gala; recognized by the American Nurses Association during the COVID-19 crisis.
• 2019: Human Rights Advocate of the Year by Zeta Phi Beta, Inc.
• 2018: Law Day Keynote Speaker, Church of God in Christ Holy Convocation, St. Louis.

Commitment to Service and Community Empowerment

For more than a decade, Rawsi has provided pro bono representation with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office, where she has never lost a case. Her leadership continues through her role as Co-Chair of the Civil Rights Committee of the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association, where she advances policy initiatives and community engagement.

A Continuing Mission

Today, Rawsi Williams remains steadfast in her dedication to justice. As an attorney, nurse, and veteran, she bridges the worlds of law and healthcare while fighting for civil rights and accountability. Her professional journey reflects a lifelong commitment to defending the vulnerable and ensuring that justice remains accessible to all.