William Gee is a prominent trial lawyer based in Lafayette, Louisiana. William Gee law firm began in 1991 with a clear mission. Work hard. Put the client first. Deliver real results.
Gee focuses on products liability, offshore and maritime injury cases, and serious car and truck collisions. He built his practice around complex maritime law, including Jones Act claims. Offshore cases are not simple. They involve federal rules, technical equipment, and serious injuries. Gee chose to specialize rather than generalize. That decision shaped his career.
He earned his undergraduate degree in economics and philosophy from Emory University. He then completed his Juris Doctor at Tulane University Law School, where he studied maritime and admiralty law. His education gave him both analytical discipline and legal depth.
One milestone stands out. Gee led a legal team that secured a $117 million jury verdict, the largest injury verdict in Louisiana history. He is a life member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum. He has also been recognized as a Louisiana Super Lawyer in 2026 and named among America’s Top 100 Attorneys.
Gee is admitted to practice in Louisiana and Texas. Outside the courtroom, he enjoys fishing, scuba diving, and race cars. His career reflects focus, preparation, and a steady drive to outwork the opposition.
Q&A: William Gee on Success
When did you first decide you wanted to be successful?
I decided early on that I wanted a top-tier education. In high school, I knew I did not want to drift. I wanted structure and challenge. That led me to Emory University. Studying economics and philosophy trained my mind to think both logically and strategically.
Law school at Tulane sharpened that focus. Maritime and admiralty law are not easy subjects. They require you to understand federal statutes, vessel operations, and real-world risk. I leaned into that complexity instead of avoiding it. Success, for me, started with choosing difficult paths on purpose.
What has been the biggest turning point in your career?
The $117 million jury verdict was a major moment. It was the largest injury verdict in Louisiana history. That result did not happen overnight. It required preparation, discovery, and disciplined trial strategy.
Leading that legal team taught me something important. Big outcomes are built on small, consistent decisions. We prepared every witness thoroughly. We studied every technical detail. We did not cut corners. Success at that level is not about ego. It is about endurance and focus.
Why did you focus on offshore and maritime law instead of general practice?
Offshore workers face unique risks. Many of them spend months at sea. When they are injured, the law is not straightforward. The Jones Act may apply. Maritime doctrines can change the value of a claim entirely.
I saw that most lawyers treated maritime law as an extension of workers’ compensation. It is not. It is its own system. I chose to specialize because specialization creates leverage. When you understand the system better than your opponent, you can outwork and outsmart them.
What habits helped you build a prominent practice?
Consistency. I have been a managing partner since 1991. That kind of longevity builds trust.
Preparation is another habit. I do not rely on courtroom theatrics. I rely on facts, documents, and disciplined case building. I review technical manuals. I study safety standards. I learned how drilling rigs operate. When you understand the machinery, you understand the liability.
Also, I avoid distractions. I rely on results. Reputation compounds over time.
How do you define success now?
Success is not just a large verdict. It is whether you delivered for your client when it mattered most. Offshore injuries can change a family’s life overnight. If I can secure compensation that protects that family long term, that is success.
Professionally, recognition such as Louisiana Super Lawyer 2026 and membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum reflects sustained performance. But those titles follow the work. They are not the goal.
Personally, success also means balance. I enjoy fishing and scuba diving. I like race cars. Those interests remind me that risk must be respected, whether in the ocean or in a courtroom.
In the end, success is simple. Work harder than your opponent. Master your niche. Stay disciplined for decades, not months. That approach has defined my career.