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Robert Angus Williams has extensive experience in environmental, land use, and agriculture, both in public and private practice. His practice focuses on land use and environmental permitting, zoning, state and local permitting, administrative matters and business and real estate transactions.

Publications and Presentations

Professional, Civic and Community Involvement

  • Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court

  • The Florida Bar, Member

  • Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Mediator

  • Martindale Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

  • Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, Environmental Litigation, and Administrative/Regulatory Law, 2023-present

  • Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, Member

  • American Agricultural Law Association, Member

  • Florida 4-H Foundation, Member, Board of Directors, 2014-2022 and Past President

  • Association of Florida Community Developers, Environmental and Water Task Force, Co-Chair

  • Tallahassee Tiger Bay Club, Member, 2010-present

  • University of Florida, Alpha Gamma Rho, Alumni Coordination Chair, 2010-2020

  • Florida Southern College, Alpha Gamma Rho, Alumni Advisor, 2004-2008

Previous Professional Experience

  • Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of the General Counsel, General Counsel, 2017-2019

  • Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of the General Counsel, Chief Deputy General Counsel, 2015-2017

  • Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Public Lands Section, Deputy General Counsel, 2014-2015

  • Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Defense Section, Deputy General Counsel, 2014-2015

  • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of the General Counsel, Senior Attorney, Clemency Aide, 2011-2014

  • Sixth Circuit, Pinellas and Pasco Counties, Assistant State Attorney, 1995-1999

Representative Court Decisions

  • Pending: Florida v. Georgia, No. 142 Original (United States Supreme Court), Served as in-house counsel for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the lead agency in the dispute. Florida seeks a consumption cap on Georgia’s unreasonable consumption of water from the Flint River basin. The equitable apportionment of water is needed to restore adequate flows of water to Apalachicola River System and Bay to alleviate serious environmental harm caused by Georgia’s unreasonable use.

  • Zagame v. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, DOAH Case No. 12-1356, Drafted Final Order modifying in part the Administrative Law Judge’s Recommended Order in a case of first impression regarding the application of Section 373.406, Florida Statutes. Question presented: whether the agricultural exemption applied to the destruction of a wetland for the purpose of excavating a cattle-watering pond.

  • Citrus County v. Halls River Development, Inc., 8 So.3d 413 (Fla. 5th DCA 2009), review denied, 23 So.3d 712, (Fla. 2009). Defended Citrus County at trial in a case of first impression regarding the Bert Harris Act. Appellate case overturned an incorrect ruling by the Circuit Court resulting in a favorable outcome for the client.

  • Gills v. Hillsborough County, Case No: 01-CA-007350 (Circuit Court, 2001), Challenged the unlawful approval by Hillsborough County for the construction of a building on adjacent property.

  • State v. Boatwright, Misdemeanor Criminal, Pinellas County Court, The first successful prosecution for violations of Florida’s gill net ban imposed by Article X, Section 16 of the Florida Constitution.

Practices

Industries

Education

  • J.D., Stetson University, College of Law, 1995

  • B.S., University of Florida, College of Agriculture, 1991