Willie E. Gary

Attorney Willie Gary has gained international recognition as a leading trial advocate, professional speaker and philanthropist. His accomplishments have been featured in "The New York Times", "The Chicago Tribune", "The Boston Globe", "Ebony", "Jet", "People", "Black Enterprise", "The National Law Journal" and other national media, which praise his "remarkable" rise to the top of his field and his tireless work on behalf of injured persons.

Gary was named Lawyer of the Year 1996 by Lawyers Weekly U.S.A., and was a recipient of the Turner Broadcasting System Golden Trumpet Award and the 26th Annual NAACP Image Award "Key of Life." He has been featured on "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous", and as "Person of the Week" on ABC World News Tonight. He has also been a guest on "The Oprah Winfrey Show", and the subject of The CBS Evening News' "Eye on America."

During his illustrious legal career, Gary has won over 100 cases valued in excess of a million dollars. He litigates complex cases involving product liability, medical malpractice, corporate "bad faith" dealings, personal injury and wrongful death.

In 1995, Gary won one of the largest jury verdicts in U.S. history--$500 million for damages suffered by small-business Jeremiah O'Keefe in his dealings with a giant corporation, The Loewen Group.

One of 11 children, Gary grew up with a burning desire to receive an education. As a Florida All-State high school football player, he went to Shaw University on an athletic scholarship, where he became the team co-captain for two years. He earned a business administration degree in 1971, followed by a Juris Doctorate degree from North Carolina Central University in Durham in 1974. After graduation, Gary moved to Florida where he was admitted to the Florida Bar and, in 1974, opened the first black law firm in Martin County.

He is a member of the National Bar Association, the American Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers, Martin and St. Lucie Counties Bar Associations and the Million Dollar Verdict Club.

Gary's scope of interest extends far beyond the courtroom. He is also known as a businessman, churchman, humanitarian and philanthropist, who is strongly committed to local and national charitable and civic work.

Gary is in great demand as a motivational speaker throughout the U.S., delivering speeches to various groups in virtually every walk of life. He addresses elementary through high-school students monthly, urging them to stay in school and away from drugs.

He serves as a board member of six national universities and numerous foundations throughout the United States. He has received honorary doctorate of law degrees from eight universities, and his extensive involvement in community activities include membership in the NAACP, Urban League, Civitan International, United Way and the Martin Memorial Hospital Foundation Council.