Our Roots

A History Rooted in Florida's Growth

Our story, as one of Florida's oldest commercial law firms, is deeply intertwined with our state's development. Founded in 1925, we have grown and evolved alongside Florida, helping our clients prosper through nearly a century of change and expansion.

The Early Years: 1925-1939

In 1925, John Kenneth Williamson and William Quiggin Cain moved to West Palm Beach, passed the Florida Bar exam and founded Williamson & Cain. Williamson began representing the First National Bank in Palm Beach, a relationship that would become a cornerstone of our early success. Despite facing two major hurricanes and the Great Depression, the firm survived and laid the groundwork for future growth.

World War II and Post-War Boom: 1940-1964

The 1940s brought significant changes. As World War II gripped the nation, the firm moved offices from West Palm Beach to the First National Bank in Palm Beach. In 1942, Harvard graduate Joseph F. Gunster joined our firm, bringing with him valuable northern and society connections. By 1948, David 'Bud' Yoakley also joined, marking the beginning of a period of rapid growth.

The post-war boom saw South Florida and Palm Beach County flourish. The firm, now known for real estate work, welcomed future name partners Marshall M. Criser, Jr., Arnold ‘Obie’ Stewart and George S. Hersey III.

Expansion and Diversification: 1965-1989

Florida industries expanded to include the space program and tourism while the interstate system brought a population boom to the Sunshine State. As Florida grew, we diversified our services to include corporate legal work and trust & estate services for the seasonal residents of Palm Beach. Marshall Criser became president of The Florida Bar, and George Hersey was appointed to a judgeship on the 4th District Court of Appeal.

In the 1980s, the firm expanded beyond Palm Beach County, opening an office in Martin County. We became the first law firm in Florida to hire a CEO, Dave McIntosh, and in 1985, the firm moved into the newly built Phillips Point office towers in West Palm Beach.

A Statewide Presence: 1990-2009

The 1990s marked a period of significant expansion. In 1990, we opened an office in Fort Lauderdale and, five years later, expanded to Miami through a merger with the prominent firm Valdes-Fauli, Bischoff, Kriss & Mandler. This expansion introduced international and immigration work, further diversifying our practice areas. We also returned to our Palm Beach roots by opening a small office on the island, and expanded north to Vero Beach.

The early 2000s saw continued growth, with the firm expanding north again to Jacksonville and navigating the challenges of the Great Recession.

A Firm for Florida in the 21st Century: 2010-2024

In the 2010s, we continued our statewide expansion, establishing offices in major commercial markets including Tallahassee, Orlando, Tampa and Boca Raton. The firm significantly grew our government affairs presence in Tallahassee and doubled the size of our Jacksonville office. This period also saw the addition of substantial health care and expanded land use practices, addressing emerging needs for Florida businesses.

In 2022, we nearly doubled the size of our Tampa office and in 2023, the firm opened its 12th office in Naples, solidifying our statewide footprint in all major Florida markets.

Firmly Focused on Our Future

Approaching our centennial year, Gunster is firmly focused on our future, continuing to grow with our clients and serve their needs in Florida and beyond. With 99 years of history behind us, we're dedicated to the future of Florida’s economy, strengthening our communities and serving its people.