Judge Kathleen Williams
Southern Florida U.S. District Court
Kathleen Mary Williams was born in 1956 in Derby, Connecticut. She earned an undergraduate degree from Duke University and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law. She entered into the private practice of law.
After four years in private practice, Williams became an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. She held that position four years until returning to private practice. Several years later, she became chief Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Florida, later becoming the Federal Public Defender. At the request of the Chief Judge of the Eleventh Circuit, Williams became the Acting Federal Public Defender for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida while still continuing to serve as the Defender for the Southern District.
President Barack Obama nominated Williams to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. She was confirmed in the Senate by unanimous consent, and received her judicial commission in August 2011.
In the News…
Up until now, it had been considered settled law that “United States workers”, i.e., citizens, nationals, permanent residents, refugees, and asylees, were the protected labor class under immigration law. A patriotic employer could hire exclusively U.S. workers and refuse to hire others. Procter & Gamble followed the established discrimination rules that allow preference for U.S. workers. For their internship program, they required the applicant to be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
An illegal alien on DACA applied for the P&G internship program, but he was rejected out of hand because he was not a U.S. worker. The illegal alien sued for discrimination and the court held he had a cause of action.
According to Judge Kathleen Williams of the South Florida U.S. District Court, American companies can be held accountable for preferring the U.S. workers over those “lawfully present” in the nation.
It is expected that the case will be appealed.
Contact this Leader…
Did you pray for Judge Williams today? You can let her know at:
The Honorable Kathleen M. Williams, Judge
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr., U.S. Courthouse
400 North Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33218
