William Gee is a prominent trial lawyer based in Lafayette, Louisiana, with a career built on discipline, strategy, and results. He founded his law practice in 1991 with a clear goal. He wanted to create a firm that works harder and cares more for injured clients.

Over more than three decades, Gee has become a reliable figure in personal injury and maritime law. He represents maritime workers and victims of serious car and truck crashes. Clients often praise his focus, preparation, and aggressive approach in court. His work ethic is central to his reputation.

One of the most significant milestones of his career is a $117 million jury verdict. Gee led the legal team and proved his ability to take on powerful opponents and win. He has also secured millions of dollars in recoveries for clients across complex cases.

Gee earned his Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School, where he excelled in maritime and admiralty law. He completed his undergraduate studies at Emory University, studying economics and philosophy. He is admitted to practise law in Louisiana and Texas.

His work has earned recognition, including LA Super Lawyer 2026, America’s Top 100 Attorneys, and an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Despite these honours, Gee keeps his focus simple. He fights for the underdog and aims to secure the best possible outcome for every client.

Outside work, William Gee enjoys fishing, scuba diving, and racecars. His career reflects consistent effort, clear values, and prominent leadership in the legal field.

A Conversation with William Gee: Building a Prominent Career in Trial Law

Q: Let’s start at the beginning. When did you first decide you wanted to become a lawyer?

William Gee: The idea formed early. While I was still in high school, I knew I wanted a serious education and a career that required discipline. I wasn’t chasing status. I was interested in learning how systems work and how people can be protected within them. That early focus shaped what became a significant part of my life.

Q: You chose Emory University for your undergraduate studies. Why was that important to you?

William Gee: Emory stood out as a demanding school with strong academic standards. I studied economics and philosophy, which helped me learn how to think clearly and critically. Economics taught me how incentives work. Philosophy taught me how to reason. Both skills later became key in how I approached legal problems.

Q: How did Tulane Law School influence your direction as a lawyer?

William Gee: Tulane exposed me to students from around the world and to maritime and admiralty law in a serious way. I worked hard in those classes and did well. That experience became a factor in my later focus on representing maritime workers. It also taught me that preparation usually decides outcomes long before a case reaches trial.

Q: You started your law practice in 1991. What was your goal at that stage?

William Gee: The goal was simple. I wanted to build a firm that worked harder than the other side. I believed injured people deserved serious attention and effort. From the start, diligence and hard work were values in the firm. I didn’t want shortcuts or surface-level lawyering.

Q: Your practice became known for representing maritime workers and crash victims. How did that evolve?

William Gee: It grew naturally from the cases that came through the door. Maritime work is complex and demanding. Car and truck crashes often result in real human injury. These cases required long hours and careful strategy. Over time, that work became a part of what I did day to day.

Q: One of the defining moments of your career was the $117 million jury verdict. What stands out when you think about that case?

William Gee: It was a team effort. I led the group, but every lawyer involved had a role. The case required deep preparation and persistence. That verdict became a milestone because it showed what happens when you commit fully to a case and refuse to be outworked.

Q: How did that experience change your perspective on your work?

William Gee: It reinforced something I already believed. Results come from focus and effort, not ego. The most significant lesson was that juries respond to clarity and honesty. If you understand the facts better than anyone else in the room, that matters.

Q: Over the years, you’ve received recognitions such as LA Super Lawyer and an AV Rating. How do you view those acknowledgements?

William Gee: I see them as markers, not goals. They reflect consistency over time. There are signs that peers respect the work, but they don’t change how I approach a case on Monday morning.

Q: You’ve said your focus is not on ego but on outcomes for clients. Where did that mindset come from?

William Gee: Probably from watching how power works. Many of my clients are up against large organisations. My job is to level that field. Fighting for the underdog became a theme in my career because it’s where the work matters most.

Q: How do you define leadership in your industry?

William Gee: Leadership means setting standards through behaviour. It’s showing younger lawyers what preparation looks like. It’s making effort an expectation, not an exception.

Q: Outside the courtroom, how do you maintain balance?

William Gee: I fish. I scuba dive. I enjoy race cars. Those activities clear my head. They help me return to work focused. Balance has become a key factor in staying effective over a long career.

Q: Looking back, what ties your career together?

William Gee: Consistency. Education, hard work, and focus. Those elements have remained consistent from the start. I’ve never tried to be flashy. I’ve tried to be prepared.

Read more:
Inside the Mind of William Gee: A Prominent Trial Lawyer’s Career Journey