by: Lorna Wright
FT. LAUDERDALE –On March 30, 2006, Levi Williams, attorney-at-law, will be honored with the Business and Entrepreneurship Award as a JM Family African-American Achiever.
Williams shares his experiences that shaped his vision and the life path he took from his Jamaican homeland when he migrated to the United States in 1974 to this point.
Williams received a B.Sc. in Business Administration-Marketing and Organizational Behavior, from the University of Illinois and a J.D. from the University of Florida. He spent two years with the Fort Myers State Attorneys Office, helping them to increase the number of minority State Attorneys to ten. In 1996, he started his practice, and is currently a Partner with Fertig & Grambling where his specialty includes corporate, wrongful death/personal injury, discrimination and governmental relations.
Williams’ is committed to social justice and has served as a Board Member on several community organizations, including the Minority Development & Empowerment, Inc., Urban League of Broward County, and Friends of Children. In 1998, Governor Jeb Bush appointed him to the Board of Trustees of Broward Community College. His involvement in the landmark case, CITIZENS CONCERNED ABOUT OUR CHILDREN v. SCHOOL BOARD OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA (CCC/School Board Case) underscores his advocacy for equity in education and the right to quality and competitive education for all children. SFCN queries Williams:
What inspired you to choose a career in law?
Affirmative Action. I was involved in the Air Force ROTC in college. My slot for Germany was cancelled after the Berlin Wall fell. I then said, “Send me to law school.” I had received A’s and B’s, but I was asked, “What makes you think you can survive law school?”
What kind of support did you get when you first started practicing?
None, but God himself!
What is most important aspect of the legal environment that you would like to share?
People of all colors are not aware of the impact that laws have on their daily lives.
What impact do you think the legal industry has on shaping social policies?
A great deal. Law helps to elect Presidents. An example of such impact is Tort Reform and the Constitution. Most would want to limit recovery of claims in lawsuits until they experience it. People of color need to have elected officials to bring issues to the agenda. They need to be visionaries and it’s unpopular.
What is the worst experience you have had as an attorney?
The FBI Wrong Way Case – challenged the U.S. government. Devastating – Federal and Appellate courts denied the case on the basis of sovereign immunity. The body of law gives government more protection for wrongful conduct.
What is the best experience you’ve had as an attorney?
There have been a number of great outcomes. CCC/School Board Case is a part of history – it’s the first case to yield the result of educational fiscal equity. Under the Brown v. Board of Education case, it forced America to integrate schools and bring equity in funding under the “Unequal Resources for Unequal Needs” doctrine.
When did you decide to become involved in community activism?
I’ve always been involved to one extent or another. I was reading a newspaper about a young girl who wanted to attend college. However, her family was on welfare and she had to make a choice of giving up her $500 savings and stay on welfare or keep it and lose everything.
What is your most important commitment as a community activist?
Education. In 1999, I ran for the School Board to make sure vision outlined in the CCC/School Board Case was effected. Doors were slammed in my face for being Caribbean and Republican. [Williams also worked with Rev. Jesse Jackson and Operation PUSH on education reform.]
Why were you selected to receive JM Family’s African-American Achievers Award?
I was recommended by several individuals who thought I used my practice and background in marketing to enhance social and educational equity in an entrepreneurial manner.
Any thoughts you would like to share? Or Life’s Quote?
Chastise and challenge to follow Martin Luther King’s power of love which states “Love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power without love is abusive.” Quote: Do no harm.
Attorney, Levi G. Williams
