Bill Perry, CEO & Managing Shareholder, Gunster

In an interview with Invest:, Bill Perry, CEO and managing shareholder of Gunster, said that Florida’s rapid growth and economic evolution are fueling unprecedented opportunities for the firm and the state’s legal sector. “We’re now the largest law firm focused solely on Florida, and as the state continues to grow and evolve, we’re seeing that momentum reflected in our firm,” said Perry.

What have been some of the key highlights and milestones for Gunster over the last 12 months?
I’d say it’s been a significant year of growth for us. We’ve had more opportunities coming our way than ever before. Since we’re so Florida-centric, much of what we do reflects what’s happening in the state. We’re now the largest law firm focused solely on Florida, and as the state continues to grow and evolve, we’re seeing that momentum reflected in our firm.
One of the major shifts we’ve noticed is the rising prominence of Palm Beach County. It’s not just being dubbed “Wall Street South” anymore — some are even calling it “Washington South” due to the political activity surrounding the presidential presence here. The local economy has surged — hotels are fully booked, and there’s a scramble for space. I’d say this has been the most active season Palm Beach has ever seen. I recently read that Palm Beach and West Palm are now ranked among the top three global destinations for affluent individuals, and we’ve certainly felt that on the ground.
More people are choosing to live, work, or establish a presence in Florida — especially during the months with the best weather. That growing interest has driven significant infrastructure development with new office buildings, residential condos, and hotels popping up across West Palm Beach. It’s all evidence of a positive trend line that isn’t just benefiting Gunster but the entire region.
Personally, as someone who grew up here and returned after law school, it’s incredible to witness how much more vibrant the area has become. The future looks bright.
For Gunster specifically, we’ve seen continued interest in our firm — smaller firms looking to merge, individual lawyers reconsidering their platforms, and attorneys from out-of-state wanting to relocate to Florida. These opportunities are coming from every direction.
Over my 17 years managing the firm, we’ve experienced steady growth. But in the last five years, it’s been like pouring kerosene on the fire. The pace and scope of our expansion have been extraordinary.

How would you describe the current state of the legal sector in Palm Beach and South Florida?
There’s been a lot of press about national firms moving into Miami, and I think that trend will continue. Other U.S. cities like Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles saw similar influxes of national firms decades ago. Now, it’s Miami’s turn.
This growth signifies Miami’s maturation as a global city. It’s a financial hub for Latin and South America and a highly cosmopolitan destination on par with cities like New York, L.A., and Chicago. With recent shifts in trade policy and immigration, Miami is becoming even more important. The legal industry has recognized that, and firms now view Miami as a critical base for trade, both inbound and outbound.
That said, Florida is a large and diverse state, and we haven’t seen the same influx of national firms in other markets at the scale they’re entering Miami. Gunster’s focus remains statewide, not just on one city. While many national firms are laser-focused on Miami’s international significance, we still see considerable room for growth across the rest of Florida.

What are the main industries or sectors currently driving growth for Gunster in South Florida?
All of our practice areas are currently very active as there isn’t a single department experiencing a lull. That reflects Florida’s dynamic and fast-paced growth. Real estate continues to be a historical and primary driver. With over 1,000 people moving to the state daily, the demand for housing and development is relentless. Florida is no longer just a retirement destination — it’s attracting young families and professionals looking to relocate while still in the workforce.
In more densely populated counties like Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade, we’re running out of land. This will likely push future growth into the state’s interior — the I-4 corridor and central regions.
Another key area is private wealth. Florida leads the country in wealth migration, even though Texas has a higher overall population migration. We see a significant inflow of high-net-worth individuals, and we’ve built a strong private wealth and family office practice to serve this sector. We believe this will remain a growth area for at least the next two decades.
Corporate law is also thriving. Florida is predominantly a middle-market state with many privately owned businesses. This opens up significant opportunities in private equity and M&A. As more private equity professionals — especially from New York — move their businesses to Florida, we’re seeing greater reinvestment beyond real estate.
Other niche practice areas, such as immigration, are also becoming increasingly relevant. Although it’s a smaller part of our firm, immigration law is critical. We’re helping businesses secure the foreign talent they need — a task that’s becoming more complex by the day.
Ultimately, our firm’s growth mirrors the state’s trajectory. Many historical trends are accelerating, and new sectors — like financial services and private equity — are rising due to the demographic and economic shifts we’re seeing.

What kind of impact does the firm have in terms of community engagement and broader prosperity?
Community engagement has always been a core part of our identity. As we celebrate our 100th year as a firm, we’re reminded that many of the region’s oldest and most esteemed charities were either founded or supported by Gunster decades ago.
Our commitment to civic and philanthropic involvement is part of our overall strategy. Since we’re fully focused on Florida, it makes sense to reinvest in the communities we serve. Last year alone, we supported more than 550 organizations — both financially and through thousands of hours of volunteer service. Our lawyers are encouraged to pursue causes they care deeply about, whether it’s animal rescue or health charities like the American Heart Association.
With our centennial in mind, we’ve ramped up those efforts this year. We’re aiming to exceed 2,000 hours of community service across our offices, and we’re giving staff paid time off to contribute. We’ve always done this informally, but now we’re tracking it more intentionally. In addition to charitable giving, we provide over 2,000 hours of pro bono legal services annually to individuals and nonprofits in need.

What can you share about Gunster’s growth and expansion strategy moving forward?
The Katz Barron merger was a year in the making. It’s a great fit for us. Even though we already had a strong Miami presence, Katz Barron’s strengths — real estate, private wealth, and litigation — align perfectly with our core focus areas. With the merger, our Miami office now includes 60 attorneys, giving us deep bench strength in key practices.
Statewide, our growth strategy is to maintain a strong presence in Florida’s six major metro areas, each with a population of over a million. Beyond that, we’ve opened offices in high-net-worth communities like Vero Beach and Naples because of our specialization in private wealth.
We’re not aiming for explosive growth — we’re focused on measured, strategic expansion. The priority is finding the right people and the right practices that align with our culture and goals.

How do you plan to preserve your legacy moving forward?
We’ve spent the past two years assembling our firm’s history photos, articles, and stories into a book that chronicles Gunster’s 100 years. We’re expecting to receive the final version by late May or early June.
There aren’t many businesses in Florida that have lasted a century. Florida Power & Light, for example, also started in 1925. So we thought it was important to capture and preserve our story, not just for ourselves, but for future generations of lawyers to understand where we came from.
The Centennial has really highlighted the unique culture at Gunster. Many firms that once existed no longer do, or they’ve been absorbed by larger groups. But we’ve remained independent and focused. Our philosophy of “leading Florida forward” isn’t just about our clients, it’s about our communities.
Our success hinges on three things: top talent, exceptional client service, and deep community engagement. This balanced, purpose-driven approach is why clients want to work with us and why lawyers want to stay here.
And beyond just being the right strategy, it’s the right thing to do. We want our people to be leaders in the community and to make a tangible difference in the world around them.