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Who We Are

Williams Parker was founded in 1925 by J. J. Williams Jr., who stressed the importance of commitment to clients, service to community, and devotion to excellence in the practice of law—guiding principles that have defined our firm for 100 years. He understood that the attorney-client relationship is both personal and professional. Adhering to his philosophy, we are dedicated to representing and advising our clients on legal matters with careful consideration for their personal concerns.

The firm exists to help our clients implement their visions for their businesses and their families. Our clients appreciate our attentiveness, discretion, and judgment. We practice in the legal disciplines that align with our client base. In those disciplines, we have built national-caliber capabilities, offering one of Florida’s largest and most sophisticated trusts and estates practices, as well as top-tier real estate, business, tax, employment, litigation, healthcare, and intellectual property practices. Through the years we have expanded our ranks to meet our clients’ growing and complex needs, while working to maintain our hallmark collegiality.

Community

Natural beauty, rich culture, and a luxurious lifestyle make our community an extraordinary place to call home. Sarasota has a rich tradition of strong civic organizations and community engagement especially regarding community foundations and arts, cultural, and human services organizations. We are proud of the central roles played by our attorneys and staff forging some of the area’s most enduring and iconic institutions and leading organizations and initiatives responsible for the area’s good fortune and character. Our volunteerism generates long-term prosperity for the area, and we are proud to call Sarasota home.

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Global

Williams Parker has international reach as a member of Ally Law, an international alliance of law firms with a membership of 70 firms that include more than 2,800 lawyers in 100 business centers throughout 45 countries. 

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News

Using a Separate Writing to Devise Tangible Personal Property

When planning your estate in Florida, one helpful tool available to you is the use of a separate writing to dispose of tangible personal property (“TPP”) not otherwise devised by will. This legal mechanism allows you to make specific gifts of TPP without needing to revise your will every time...

Williams Parker Attorneys Recognized as 2025 Florida Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Williams Parker, Sarasota’s largest law firm, is proud to announce that twelve of the firm’s attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 edition of Florida Super Lawyers, and five attorneys as Florida Rising Stars. This prestigious recognition honors attorneys who demonstrate outstanding professional achievement and peer recognition. Only...

Mallory D. Osteen Appointed to Twelfth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission

Williams Parker, Sarasota’s largest law firm, is pleased to announce that Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Mallory D. Osteen to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, effective August 1, 2025. The Commission recommends qualified candidates to fill judicial vacancies in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto Counties which are designated to...

Williams Parker Welcomes Gianna M. Tomeo as Associate

Williams Parker, Sarasota’s largest law firm, is pleased to announce the expansion of its Trusts & Estates practice with the addition of Gianna M. Tomeo. Gianna helps high-net worth individuals and families achieve their estate planning goals by delivering thoughtful, forward-thinking counsel grounded in both personal and business perspectives. Drawing...

Legacy

For a century, Williams Parker has helped guide the growth and prosperity of Sarasota’s skyline and neighborhoods, its banks, schools, public hospital, thriving airport, and many of the enduring and iconic institutions responsible for the area’s good fortune and character. Navigating through the Great Depression and into the post-WWII boom, the firm added young, military-veteran attorneys Parker, Harrison, Dietz, and Getzen, assisting real estate titans in turning southwest Florida into some of the most coveted property in the world. Through the 1960s, Williams Parker helped develop Bird, Lido, and Longboat Keys. Booms and expansion occurred again in the 1990s, 2000s, and today—the firm expanding and diversifying each time to meet its clients’ growing and complex needs—offering sophisticated trusts and estates, corporate, tax, employment, real estate, intellectual property, and litigation practices—while always staying true to its commitment to clients, service to community, and excellence in the practice of law.

1925

Firm Founded

JJ Williams, Jr. hangs a shingle and briefly is sole practitioner at Commercial Court on Central between First and Third. Williams joins Sidney Rawson Perry forming Perry & Williams on top floor (7th floor) of First Bank and Trust Building, later called the Palmer Bank Building. Firm briefly was Williams,...

1968

Firm Establishes Name As Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen

Firm establishes name as Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen; JJ Williams Jr. dies age 82

1973

Firm Builds Office at Orange and Ringling

New building at 1550 Ringling Blvd (200 S. Orange); decision to buy and build over leasing at United First Federal Building, JJ Williams does not live to see new building; Taylor Woodrow purchases land for The Meadows

2020

Firm Celebrates 95th Anniversary

Williams Parker celebrates its 95th anniversary and pays tribute to late founding partners Harrison and Dietz, who were instrumental not only in establishing the strength, stability, and culture of the firm but also in shaping the community itself.

2025

Firm Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Williams Parker has been a cornerstone of the community for a century, providing exceptional legal services and contributing to the growth and prosperity of the community.

Governance Our Leadership

Our firm is governed by a management committee of three partners. Each member of the management committee is elected by the partnership to three-year staggered terms. There are no term limits. The management committee is responsible for overseeing all firm operations and administration. 

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By the Numbers

46

Attorneys

27

Martindale-Hubbell AV-Ratings

20

Board Certifications

23

Advanced Degrees in Accounting or Business

13

Leadership Sarasota Graduates

8

Sarasota County Bar Association Presidents

3

CPAs

Accolades

30% Board Certified Digital Badge