Willie E. Gary
Attorney
Willie E. Gary is living the American Dream. Once a migrant worker, now
a multi-millionaire attorney, Gary earned his reputation by representing
little-known clients against major corporations. Along the way he has
handled some of the largest jury awards and settlements in U.S. history,
winning more than 150 cases valued in excess of $1 million each. Gary’s
amazing success has earned him national recognition as a leading trial
attorney.
In May 2002, he was featured in Ebony magazine as one of the “100 Most
Influential Black Americans.” Forbes Magazine has listed him as one of
the “Top 50 attorneys in the U.S.”
Gary has been featured in national media publications, such as The New
York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Boston Globe, Ebony, Jet, People,
Black Enterprise, Fortune, The New Yorker and The National Law Journal.
His remarkable legal career and tireless work on behalf of his clients
has been well documented on “60 Minutes,” “CBS Evening News,” and ABC’s
“World News Tonight with Peter Jennings.”
He has also been profiled on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” made a
guest appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and made a live appearance
on CBS’s “The Early Show” with Bryant Gumbel.
But Willie Gary’s triumphant rise to the top is no overnight success
story.
His vast
appeal stems from his desire to be the best and a passionate work ethic
he learned through his humble beginnings.
One of 11 children of Turner and Mary Gary, Willie Gary was born July
12, 1947 in Eastman, Georgia, and raised in migrant farming communities
in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
His unwavering desire to earn a college education ultimately led him to
Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina where the all-state high
school football player would earn an athletic scholarship after being
told there was no room for him on the team. Gary went on to become the
co-captain of Shaw’s football team during the 1969, 1970 and 1971
seasons.
Earning
a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Gary went on to North
Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina where he earned a
Juris Doctorate in 1974. Upon earning his law degree, Gary returned to
Florida with his childhood sweetheart, Gloria, - now his wife.
Gary was admitted to the Florida Bar and opened his hometown’s first
African-American law firm with the help of Gloria, who assisted him at
his new practice.
Gary’s practice has since grown into the thriving national partnership
known as Gary, Williams, Finney, Lewis, Watson & Sperando, P.L., consisting of 37 attorneys, a team of paralegals, a
professional staff of 120 including six nurses, two full-time
investigators, an administrator, a certified public accountant, a public
relations director, a general counsel, human resources director, and a
full administrative staff.
The firm operates out of three, posh waterfront offices - two located on
the St. Lucie River in historic downtown Stuart, Florida, and the third
overseeing the Indian River Lagoon in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Gary is a member of the National Bar Association, the American Bar
Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Florida Academy of
Trial Lawyers Association, Martin and St. Lucie County Bar Associations
and the Million Dollar Verdict Club.
He has tried cases in 45 states and is in great demand as a motivational
speaker throughout the U.S. - delivering speeches at law schools,
universities, churches, chambers of commerce and to various groups
throughout the country.
Gary often travels on his 32-passenger, custom designed Boeing 737,
which carries a full flight crew and is appropriately named “Wings of
Justice II.”
The luxurious jetliner facilitates Gary’s extensive travel schedule,
allowing him to handle more cases, while enabling him to get home faster
so he can spend time with his family.
Gary’s scope of interest extends far beyond the courtroom.
He is chairman of the Black Family Channel - the nation’s only
African-American owned and operated 24-hour cable channel devoted to
wholesome “family values” programming aimed at urban viewers.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the network’s vision is to provide
intelligent, family-oriented programming that embraces values in
business, entertainment, sports, ministries and government. Gary also
hosts a weekly talk show on the Black Family Channel featuring personal
interviews with prominent guests.
Known as a businessman, churchman, humanitarian and philanthropist, Gary
is deeply involved in charity and civic work. He is committed to
enhancing the lives of young people through education.
In 1994, he and his wife, Gloria, formed The Gary Foundation to carry
out this formidable task. The Gary Foundation provides scholarships,
direction and other resources to youth, so they can realize their dreams
of achieving a higher education.
In 1991, Gary donated $10.1 million to his alma mater Shaw University.
He has also donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to dozens of
Historically Black Colleges and Universities throughout the U.S.
His national television campaign, “Education is Power,” encourages
children to stay in school and be the best that they can be. In addition
to being a lawyer, a philanthropist, a media mogul and a motivational
speaker, Gary continues to serve on the board of trustees of numerous
universities and foundations.
He has received honorary doctorates from dozens of colleges and
universities.
His extensive community activities include membership in the NAACP,
Florida Guardsmen, Inc., Urban League, Civitan International, United Way
of Martin County and Martin Memorial Hospital Foundation Council, and
many others.
The Gary’s oldest son, Kenneth, is president & CEO of The Gary
Foundation and Gary Enterprises, the family’s real estate management
company. Sekou, is a member of the Florida Bar and recently opened his
own law practice, Gary Legal Group, LLC, in Miami, Florida. Ali earned
his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and is Editor and Chief
of “Update,” the firm newsletter. The Gary’s youngest son, Kobie, is a
graduate of Nova Southeastern University located in South Florida.
