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Who We Are

Williams Parker Attorneys at Law 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 nearly 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

WILLIAMS PARKER MOVES HEADQUARTERS TO PLAZA FIVE POINTS AS IT NEARS 100-YEAR MILESTONE

Sarasota’s largest law firm, Williams Parker, is pleased to announce the relocation of its headquarters to Plaza Five Points at 50 Central Avenue in downtown Sarasota. By moving from its 200 South Orange Avenue location to Plaza Five Points, Williams Parker is continuing the next step in its ongoing story...

Fourteen US Member Firms Named 2024 Best Law Firms

We are pleased to be part of the 14 Ally Law member firms recognized in the 2024 Edition of Best Law Firms® in America. Ally Law member firms include: Birch Horton Bittner & Cherot (Alaska) – Nationally ranked in 1 practice area, and metro ranked in 6 practice areas. Berliner Cohen (California, Northern) – Metro...

Williams Parker Announces the Winner of the 2023 Holiday Card Design Contest

Williams Parker is proud to announce Stella Kim as the winner of the 2023 Holiday Card Design Contest in partnership with Ringling College of Art and Design. This marks the sixth year of collaboration between the law firm and the college in seeking creative designs from students for their annual...

Williams Parker Attorneys and Firm Named by Best Lawyers in America® 2024 List

Williams Parker is pleased to announce the firm has been named a 2024 “Best Law Firm” by Best Lawyers in America®. The firm was regionally ranked in six categories: Corporate Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Real Estate Law, Trusts and Estates Law, and Tax...

Legacy

For nearly 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.

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