By Debra Sweeting
South Florida Attorney Willie E. Gary earned the reputation as “The Giant Killer” by taking down some of this country’s most well-known corporate giants on behalf of his clients.
Gary has won some of the largest jury awards and settlements in U.S. history, including more than 150 cases valued in excess of $1 million each, according to his Stuart-based law firm.
One of his most famous cases involved a white funeral home operator for whom he won $500 million. “The Burial,’’ a new movie starring Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, is based on that high-profile case.
In 1995, Gary helped financially troubled funeral home owner Jeremiah Joseph O’Keefe sue a large funeral home company, the Loewen Group, over a contractual dispute. Gary ultimately won a $500 million jury verdict and the Loewen Group filed for bankruptcy. Oscar winner Tommy Lee Jones portrays O’Keefe in the film.
In 2022, it was announced that Foxx would be producing and starring in the film about the case. It’s scheduled to be released by Amazon Studios in a limited release on Oct. 6, then will begin streaming on Prime Video on Oct. 13.
Willie Gary (center) poses with attorneys from the law firm – Gary, Williams, Parenti, Watson & Gary, P.L.L.C.
‘This is something special’ Gary told the Florida Courier this week that he was a fan of Foxx when he played Ray Charles and won an Academy Award in the movie “Ray,’’ which debuted in 2004. But when Foxx actually signed on to play Gary in “The Burial’’ the renowned attorney said he was ecstatic.
They met at Gary’s office and home, and the attorney said he was sold, noting that Foxx’s spirit and faith won him over.
“We both share faith and that’s when I knew he was the chosen one. I feel we have the best actor and producer in the business,’’ Gary said.
Gary related that it will be the thrill of a lifetime when the movie is released. “The Burial’’ is based on a New Yorker article written by Jonathan Harr.
“This is something special. We waited all these years, but God said, ‘Don’t ever doubt me,’’’ Gary told the Courier.
From humble beginnings to three law offices Gary’s remarkable legal career has earned him national recognition as a leading trial attorney.
Coming from humble beginnings, he is one of 11 children of Turner and Mary Gary. The attorney was born on July 12, 1947, in Eastman, Georgia. He was raised in migrant farming communities in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
Gary went to Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina on a football scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree at the historically Black school.
In 1974, he received his law degree from North Carolina Central University.
He returned to Florida and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1974. He opened his own law firm with the help of his wife, Gloria – his childhood sweetheart – after none of the firms he approached for a job would hire Black lawyers.
Gary’s practice has since grown into the firm of Gary, Williams, Parenti, Watson & Gary, P.L.L.C., consisting of 37 attorneys, a team of paralegals and a professional staff of over 100.
The firm operates out of three offices. Two of the three offices are located on the St. Lucie River in historic downtown Stuart, one of which is the former Pelican Hotel where Gary worked as a dishwasher during his teenage years. The third office overlooks the Indian River Lagoon in Fort Pierce.
‘Called’ to his profession
So how does he sum up his extraordinary life and immense success?
“I’m so blessed. My wife, my kids, my life. God has always been with me. I’m one of 11 kids by sharecroppers. We didn’t even have shoes to wear to school because we couldn’t afford them,” he recalled.
He was born in Georgia but reared in the western part of Palm Beach County known as the Glades – or by its nickname, “The Muck.” “I’m a product of the Muck,” he said proudly.
But today he has amassed a fortune. Gary often travels on his 32-passenger, custom designed Boeing 737, which carries a full flight crew and is named “Wings of Justice II.”
He noted that he was called to his profession.
“I had lots of help. I’ve known many great lawyers, but I was called to do this. I believed in myself, my faith, my parents. I’ve had a lot of good people in my life,” he shared.
But Gary admits that he has had his share of challenges.
“You’re going to have some ups and downs, and I’ve had cases where nothing was going right, and I felt like giving up. But something told me to run on,’’ he shared.
“God called me to do this to encourage people,” he noted, citing that his faith has been his cornerstone.
In 1994, he and his wife, Gloria, formed The Gary Foundation, which provides scholarships, direction, and other resources to youth so they can realize their dreams of achieving a higher education.
In 1991, Gary pledged $10.1 million to Shaw University. He also has donated millions of dollars to dozens of HBCUs throughout the U.S.
“I’m a firm believer of giving back. Having money is fine, but giving back is major,” he stressed.
Gary’s oldest son, Kenneth, is president and CEO of The Gary Foundation and Gary Enterprises, the family’s real estate management company. Sekou followed in his father’s footsteps and is a trial attorney.
Ali earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is vice president of The Gary Foundation. Gary’s youngest son, Kobie, is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University and works with his father in the law practice.
Willie Gary has received numerous awards throughout his career and his story has been documented by many of the country’s media outlets.
In addition to being a lawyer, philanthropist and motivational speaker, Gary serves on the board of trustees of various universities and foundations. He has received honorary doctorates from dozens of colleges and universities.
Now that a movie about him has come to fruition, what’s next for Willie Gary?
“I have many more hopes and dreams because you never stop dreaming,” he said.
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