Vennia Francois

Vennia Francois is a seasoned attorney whose career has been defined by public service, leadership, and a commitment to helping individuals, businesses, and communities navigate complex legal and regulatory matters.

Born and raised in Orlando, Florida, Vennia is one of nine children and a first-generation American. Her parents immigrated to the United States from the Bahamas in 1971 with little more than determination, faith, and a belief in the opportunities afforded by the American Dream. Through hard work and perseverance, they built successful small businesses and instilled in their children the values of service, education, and civic engagement.

After graduating from Edgewater High School, Vennia attended the University of Florida, where she became actively involved in public policy and political advocacy, working on campaigns throughout Florida. She later transferred to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, becoming the first member of her family to graduate from college.

Although she initially intended to pursue a career in medicine, Vennia discovered her passion for public service and community advocacy through her involvement in political campaigns and volunteer initiatives. Motivated by a desire to create meaningful change, she chose to pursue a legal career and earned her Juris Doctor from the Florida A&M University College of Law in 2007. While attending law school, she worked as an intake coordinator in the medical malpractice and nursing home negligence division of The Maher Law Firm, gaining valuable experience in client advocacy and complex litigation.

Vennia’s commitment to public service began early. While still in law school, she was appointed by Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty to serve on the county’s Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise (MWBE) Committee. She was also appointed by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to the City of Orlando’s Certification Appeals Board, where she participated in hearings designed to preserve the integrity of the MWBE certification process. In addition, she interned for Congressman John Mica and U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, gaining firsthand experience in federal government and public policy.

Following law school, Vennia joined the staff of U.S. Senator Mel Martinez as a Policy Advisor and continued in that role under Senator George LeMieux. In Washington, she developed expertise across a broad range of legislative and regulatory issues, including education, banking, labor, transportation, and energy policy.

After transitioning to the private sector, Vennia continued to build her legal and regulatory experience through positions with Lockheed Martin and later with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Enforcement Division Trial Unit. During her tenure with the SEC, she assisted in investigating and prosecuting complex enforcement actions involving fraudulent and deceptive financial practices, helping protect investors and uphold the integrity of the financial markets. She remained with the agency through 2017.

Throughout her career, Vennia has remained actively involved in civic engagement and public affairs. She has served in various capacities on presidential campaigns, including strategy operations, legal rapid response efforts, and voter engagement initiatives. Her dedication to public service reflects a lifelong appreciation for the opportunities this country has provided her family and a deep belief in the power of civic participation.

Today, Vennia maintains a diverse legal practice focused on corporate and business law, family law, criminal defense, immigration matters, regulatory compliance, litigation, and transactional law. She is admitted to practice before The Florida Bar, the District of Columbia Bar, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Vennia is actively involved in numerous professional and community organizations, including the Orange County Bar Association, the Federalist Society, the Republican National Lawyers Association, the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society, the AEI Leadership Network, and the Central Florida Women’s League. She also serves as Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the Central Florida Navy League and sits on the boards of several nonprofit and civic organizations, including the Downtown Orlando Partnership, House of Hope, Matthew’s Hope, the Orlando Downtown Arts District, and the Civil Rights Study Alliance.

Her professional accomplishments and leadership have earned recognition from several notable organizations and publications, including Florida Trend Magazine, Maverick PAC Future 40, and The Hill.

Outside the practice of law, Vennia enjoys music, tennis, and golf, and remains a devoted Florida Gators fan. A lifelong member of Calvary Assembly in Winter Park, Florida, she grew up singing with her sisters in church and later performed with the Lee Singers, Lee University’s premier vocal ensemble. As a member of the ensemble, she traveled throughout the United States and internationally as a musical ambassador for the university.