Lorenzo Williams

Attorney Lorenzo Williams, Senior Partner in the Law firm of

Gary, Williams, Parenti, Watson & Gary, P.L.L.C. was born January 26, 1952, in

Miami, Florida to Alvin and Rosa Mae Williams. The second of seven children, born

to working class parents, Mr. Williams was raised in Goulds, Florida and

Waynesboro, Georgia. Despite never attending college themselves, his parents ensured that each of their seven children received a college degree. After graduating from High School, Mr. Williams continued his studies at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina where he majored in political science. Mr. Williams graduated from Shaw University with honors in 1974. In 1977, Mr. Williams earned his law degree from Willamette University School of Law in Selma, Oregon and he was admitted to practice law in Florida on March 28, 1978.

Mr. Williams began his career working as staff counsel for the Urban League of Dade County. In July 1978, Mr. Williams joined fellow Shaw alumnus Willie Gary at the law firm of Gary & Lewis in Stuart, FL. Two years later, Mr. Williams became a Senior Partner in the law firm of Gary, Williams & Parenti, et al. For over 30 years, he has specialized in civil litigation including personal injury, wrongful death,

medical malpractice, product liability and commercial cases. During his 30 years of practice, Mr. Williams has successfully litigated more than 100 cases with verdicts and/or settlements exceeding $1 million. Mr. Williams’ legal career has been one of many milestones and successes. One such defining moment occurred when he   co-counseled with his partner, Willie Gary, to obtain a $500 million verdict in Jackson, MS against Loewen Group, Inc. This verdict remains one of the largest single awards in U.S. history. Another significant legal accomplishment was the $15 million arbitration award Mr. Williams obtained, on behalf of an African American computer distributor, against computer giant Hewlett Packard. This was the second largest arbitration award in Rochester, NY. By appointment of a Federal

Bankruptcy Court, Mr. Williams also successfully represented the Federal Trustee against one of the leading multinational military aeronautic contractors resulting in a

$10 million settlement. Believing that the law can be a great counterweight to injustice, Mr. Williams continues to excel in his field.

Mr. Williams’ commitment to excellence is reflected not only in his many professional accomplishments, but also in his commitment to community and social change. Mr. Williams served as the first African American President of the St. Lucie County Bar Association in Florida and the first African American member of the Board of Directors for the Florida Justice Association (formerly the Florida Trial Lawyers Association). Mr. Williams is also the first African American to receive an invitation and become a member of the Palm Beach Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Mr. Williams is active in numerous professional and

civic associations including the National Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Williams is a member of the Board of Trustees of Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN; College of Dental Medicine of Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; the Board of Trustees of Shaw University, Raleigh, NC; the Board of Councilors, the Treasure Coast Campus Advisory Board of Florida Atlantic University, Port St. Lucie, FL; and the Board of Visitors of Willamette University College of Law, Salem, OR.; and the Advisory Board of Seacoast National Bank , Stuart, FL.

Mr. Williams and his wife of over 30 years, Jovita Williams, are the proud parents of four children: Rashondia Gaines, a dentist, Ayanna Williams, an attorney; and twin sons Akeem and Amar, who are both attorneys as well.