Rachael M. Crews Attorney At Law

Rachael is a shareholder with the firm and focuses on eminent domain and a variety of complex civil litigation. Rachael has worked on all types of complex eminent domain cases, representing both property and business owners as well as select condemning authorities on all types of properties throughout the state of Florida. She has participated in numerous eminent domain and inverse condemnation proceedings, valuation trials, and Bert Harris actions. 

Rachael has extensive trial experience in both federal and state court and has successfully tried and defended numerous non-jury trials and evidentiary matters on behalf of her clients. She was second chair in two successful multi-million-dollar jury trials. 

Additionally, Rachael has a significant appellate practice and has effectively handled a large number of appeals on behalf of both appellees and appellants. 
 

• Background

  Rachael was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She graduated summa cum laude from Wofford College in 2001, where she double-majored in history and government. Thereafter, she attended Vanderbilt Law School, graduating with honors in 2004. Rachael joined the firm in 2007, after practicing at a boutique litigation firm for three years, where she gained significant courtroom experience.  

• Education
  • Wofford College, B.A., history and government (summa cum laude, 2001)
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Departmental Award for High Achievement
     
  • Vanderbilt Law School, J.D. (2004)
  • Book Awards in Comparative Law of Financial Distress and Financial Instruments 
• Admissions
  • Florida
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
• Professional Associations & Memberships
  • The Florida Bar
    • Young Lawyers Section, Member
    • Eminent Domain Standing Committee, Member
  • Orange County Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
• Awards & Recognitions
  • Florida Super Lawyers, "Rising Star," 2009-2011, 2013-2018
  • AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Orlando Business Journal, Women Who Mean Business, Honoree, 2020
• Civic
  • Federalist Society
  • George C. Young American Inn of Court
  • PACE Orange Board, Chair
  • Wofford College Young Leaders
  • Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers
  • Leadership Orlando, Class 81 
  • LEADForward Roundtables
• Articles & Publications
  • Author, Creditors' and Debtors' Practice in Florida, Third Edition, 2007
• Presentations & Seminars
  • Panelist, Preparing for the September 18 Value Adjustment Boards Deadline Webinar, August 20, 2020
  • Panelist, Senator Rick Scott's U.S. Service Academy Interviews, September 21, 2019
  • Speaker, "New Bankruptcy Law," National Business Institute Seminar