Hugh William Perry

Overview

H. William (Bill) Perry is CEO and managing shareholder of Gunster. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the firm, Bill continues to practice real estate and business law, specializing in complex commercial and financial transactions.

As a practicing lawyer, Bill has worked on many large residential and commercial real estate projects throughout Florida. Specifically, Bill has worked on a variety of infrastructure projects that have helped shape South Florida, including power plants, airports and large residential communities. Bill has previously represented many of the key players in the construction and development industries and in the trade and logistics sector including real estate developers, contractors, shipping companies, railways, energy companies, aggregate suppliers and road contractors.

In his role as managing partner of Gunster, Bill is actively involved in a number of statewide and local organizations that are focused on making Florida the best it can be.

At a statewide level, Bill has been actively involved in leadership and strategic planning efforts throughout Florida. Beginning in 2010, as a member of the Florida Chamber Foundation, Bill has been involved with the initial launch of the statewide Six Pillar initiative and discussions on the critical issues affecting Florida’s future. In 2013, Bill also served as a steering committee member for the Florida Chamber’s Trade and Logistics Study, Part II, which will help guide the state’s infrastructure development in this sector that is so important to Florida’s future. Bill is also a member of the board of directors of Leadership Florida.

At a local level, Bill has been involved in leadership and strategic planning initiatives for the last 20 years. In 2011, Bill helped the Economic Council lead a Six Pillars Communities program, resulting in a comprehensive strategic plan for Palm Beach County. He was chair of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County in 2017 and remains involved. In 2013, Bill served as a member of the executive committee for the South Florida Regional Partnership, which developed a regional long term strategic plan (i.e., 7/50 Plan) for the seven coastal counties in the South Florida and the Treasure Coasts.

Additional civic and charitable organizations in which Bill has been involved include the Kravis Center and the United Way of Palm Beach County.

Bill has been listed among The Best Lawyers in America® (2009-2021), South Florida Business Journal’s “CEO of the Year” (2009) and The U.S. Legal 500 for real estate and construction transactions and finance in Florida. He has an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, an indicator of a lawyer’s high ethical standards and professional ability. Bill was appointed to the 2013-2014 board of trustees at the University of Florida Law Center Association.

Bill received his J.D., with honors, from the University of Florida. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania and also studied at Kings College in London.

In his spare time, Bill is a competitive runner, a private pilot and an avid fisherman.