LaWanda Williams-Israel is an experienced litigator who applies a comprehensive and collaborative approach to advocacy, consistently delivering strong results for her clients. She represents established entities and individuals across all aspects of civil litigation, having tried numerous cases to verdict while also achieving favorable outcomes through alternative dispute resolution. Her practice focuses on the defense of general liability, automobile liability, construction, premises liability, and personal injury claims.

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Prior to joining Brooks and Berne, LaWanda served as staff counsel for a Fortune 500 insurance company. She also defended cases filed against building owners, construction companies, and architecture firms at a private firm on Wall Street. In addition, LaWanda served as counsel for public school boards and municipalities, defending personal injury cases and discrimination complaints filed with state entities, and representing school districts in employee discipline matters.

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Earlier in her career, LaWanda served at the Office of Diversity and Compliance for the City University of New York, where she investigated discrimination complaints and provided sexual harassment prevention training to students and staff. 

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LaWanda holds a B.S. from Cornell University, a J.D. from Emory University School of Law, and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City.