Since its inception in 1925, Gunster has enjoyed a tradition of attracting and cultivating many of Florida’s most prominent lawyers. This legacy continues today where Gunster employs a collaborative, “one firm” management approach. This strategy provides our clients with a proactive partner who can recognize the complexities of the big picture while focusing on the fine print.
Gunster’s lead attorneys constitute an elite corps of highly respected professionals who have distinguished themselves both in and out of the courtroom.
Board principals
George S. LeMieux, Chairman of the Board
Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux is a shareholder and serves as chairman of the firm’s board of directors. Previously, he was a shareholder at Gunster, working with the firm from 1994 through 2002 and again from 2008 until 2009, when he was appointed to serve as Florida’s 34th United States Senator. He previously served as the governor’s chief of staff and as deputy attorney general for the state of Florida. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and focuses his practice on business litigation and corporate strategic counseling.
H. William Perry, Managing Shareholder
H. William (“Bill”) Perry, managing shareholder of the firm, has been with Gunster for all of his legal career and for much of Florida’s explosive growth of the last 25 years. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is part of Gunster’s real estate practice. Mr. Perry focuses on complex commercial transactions, real estate development and finance, homeowner associations and condominiums, and mining and construction law. He was part of an advisory group to former Florida Gov. Crist and is active in the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. Mr. Perry takes a lead role in Gunster’s support of Easter Seals Florida and the American Heart Association.
Donald J. Beuttenmuller Jr., General Counsel
Gunster’s general counsel, Mr. Beuttenmuller, has been with the firm since 1980 and served as managing shareholder from 2002 through 2008. Before joining the firm, Mr. Beuttenmuller served as assistant county solicitor and assistant state’s attorney for the 15th judicial circuit of Florida. He focuses his practice on general commercial litigation and the representation of large civil contractors and engineering companies.
Board members
David G. Bates
Mr. Bates is chair of the firm’s technology & entrepreneurial companies practice. Among his key areas of counsel are mergers and acquisitions, technology law, venture capital transactions, corporate finance and securities law.
Elaine Bucher
Ms. Bucher is a shareholder who dedicates her practice to sophisticated estate planning, estate and trust administration and fiduciary litigation.
Angel A. Cortinas
Mr. Cortinas co-chairs the firm’s Appellate law practice and previously served as an appellate judge on Florida’s 3rd District Court of Appeal for more than 8 years.
David M. Wells
Mr. Wells is nationally recognized for his practice in business litigation and complex commercial litigation. He joined Gunster in 2008.
Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer
Stephen F. McDermott
Mr. McDermott is the chief financial officer and chief operating officer at Gunster. Mr. McDermott is responsible for managing the firm’s billing, trust, collection, office operations, accounting and reporting functions. Prior to joining Gunster in 2003, Mr. McDermott was a senior manager at Ernst & Young LLP.
