Robert Williams

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Corporate Governance & Shareholder Disputes

Environmental

Director & Officer Liability

Trusts, Estates, & Fiduciary Litigation

Health Care

Health Care Litigation

Health Care Compliance

Health Care Business, Governance & Transactional

Career

Rob Williams’s practice includes complex business, healthcare, and securities litigation. He has successfully tried numerous jury trials including complex breach of contract disputes, business tort claims, securities fraud cases, real estate and construction claims, corporate governance and other business organization disputes, statutory and constitutional tort cases, negligence and medical malpractice claims, employment discrimination suits, and the defense of white-collar criminal prosecutions.

Leveraging his experience with both the business and legal aspects of the health care industry, Rob assists healthcare clients proactively to address their business and legal concerns. Rob also serves as an arbitrator for the National Futures Association (NFA) and the American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) Dispute Resolution Service.

Rob has over 50 years of experience in all areas of trial practice, including numerous jury and non-jury trials, arbitrations, and mediations. That experience has taught him to address even the smallest detail by involving himself totally in his client’s case. His singular goal is to obtain the best result possible for his client.

Away from the office, Rob spends as much time as he can with his family, is an avid skier, and enjoys playing both golf and tennis with friends and clients. Rob is also an instrument rated private pilot.

Rob earned his J.D. from the University of Florida and his B.A., in Political Science with a Certificate in Latin American Studies, from the University of Florida.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association

Hillsborough County Bar Association

American Health Lawyers Association

The Florida Bar

C.H. Ferguson - M.E. White American Inn of Court

Florida Justice Association (Florida Trial Lawyers)

Federal Bar Association

Personal

President, Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (1991)

Chairman, The Florida Bar's Committee on Judicial Nominating Commissions (1979)

Chairman, Judicial Nominating Commission for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida (1982-86)

President, Cove Behavioral Health (formerly DACCO Behavioral Health) (a nationally recognized not for profit drug abuse education and prevention program) (1980-1984); Board Member (1979-present)

Chairman, Board of Trustees, Hillsborough County Hospital Authority (Tampa General Hospital) (1988-1991); Board Member (1984-1992)

President, Hillsborough County Bar Foundation (2013-14); Board Member (2012-present)

President , C.H. Ferguson - M.E. White American Inn of Court (2014)

Experience

Tried a complicated insider trading/securities fraud case against the Securities and Exchange Commission. After a three-week jury trial, our clients were completely exonerated.

Represented an independent practice association of physicians in their claim for breach of contract and various business torts against a national insurance company. This resulted in a $3 million arbitration award.

Represented a corporate executive/shareholder in a lengthy trial that was the result of a contest for corporate control. Achieved a multi-million dollar verdict for our client.

Represented a cardiology group in the negotiation and sale of their cath lab to one of our local hospitals.

Successfully represented a national company in a patent infringement case in federal court that resulted in a verdict of willful infringement of our client's patent.

Defended a large primary care physician group in a medical malpractice case. After a two-week trial, the jury rendered a complete defense verdict.

Represented a large hotel chain that was accused of religious discrimination under Title VII. After a lengthy jury trial, our client was totally exonerated.

Represented a large physician practice group in the negotiation and sale of their practice to a national healthcare multi-specialty network.

Represented a large convenience store chain in connection with environmental damage claims. At the conclusion of a two-week jury trial the Defendant agreed to settle the case on very favorable terms for our client, the Plaintiff.

Represented a prominent local business man who was falsely jailed by police officers employed by a large Florida municipality. After successfully defending the underlying arrest, we sued the city in Federal court under 42 USC § 1983 for violating our client's civil rights. After a week-long Federal Court jury trial our client was awarded significant damages and his attorneys' fees.

Represented a bank president in a federal criminal case that resulted in an acquittal of all but one count. On appeal, that lone conviction was reversed, resulting in a total acquittal of our client.

Defended a local business man charged with criminal embezzlement. After a one-week trial, the jury found our client not guilty on all charges.

Represented a large compounding pharmacy in a federal civil and criminal fraud investigation which was resolved very successfully for the client.

Education

Awards