William Gee is a trial lawyer based in Lafayette, Louisiana, whose career has been shaped by discipline, focus, and steady effort over time. His path started early, when he decided in high school that he wanted a serious education and a career that required commitment.
That mindset led him to Emory University in Atlanta, where he studied economics and philosophy. He later attended Tulane Law School, where he developed a strong interest in maritime and admiralty law. The work was detailed and demanding, but it matched his approach.
In 1991, Gee opened his law practice with a simple goal. He wanted to work harder than the other side and provide strong representation for injured clients. Over time, he focused on helping maritime workers and people affected by serious car and truck crashes. These cases required patience, long hours, and careful planning.
One of the defining moments of his career came when he led a legal team to secure a $117 million jury verdict, the largest injury verdict in Louisiana history at the time. This case required tedious preparation and attention to detail, helping establish his prominent reputation in trial law.
Gee has received recognition, including being named a 2026 LA Super Lawyer, earning an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and being named to America’s Top 100 Attorneys. He often says he fights for the underdog. His career shows what consistent effort and clear thinking can build over time.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Most days start early. I review case files before anything else, with no interruptions. I focus on facts first, not emails. By mid-morning, I’m either in meetings or preparing for depositions. Late afternoons are for strategy. I block time to think through cases without distractions. Productivity, for me, comes down to preparation. If I understand the details better than anyone else, the rest follows.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I break strategies down into steps. In law, big ideas don’t matter unless one can execute. For example, in a truck injury case, I might start with one key issue and build outward to decide what documents, witnesses, and timelines are necessary. It’s less about creativity and more about structure.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Access to information. Attorneys now can access information from artificial intelligence apps to learn more about various topics; information from AI must be cross-checked for accuracy.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Working without shortcuts. I don’t rely on summaries if I can read the source material.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient. Results take time. Early on, I thought speed mattered more than it does.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think most cases are won before they ever get to trial. People focus too much on courtroom performance; however, successful courtroom results are largely determined by full and adequate preparation.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Prepare more.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away. Fishing and bike riding help a lot. These activities clear my head.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Consistency. I focus on outworking the other side.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I took on a case that taught me the value of preparation in a very direct way. I realised I had been relying too much on instinct instead of fully grounding everything in the facts. That experience changed how I work.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A simple platform that explains legal processes in plain language for injured workers.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I constantly use Dropbox to organize file material.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. It explains decision-making.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I don’t watch much television. I spend more time reading. Lately, I’ve been using the Wall Street Journal app. It’s well-researched, well-written, and objective, which I value.
Key learnings
- Deep preparation and understanding of facts often matter more than performance.
- Consistency over time builds trust and long-term results.
- Breaking complex problems into structured steps improves execution.
- Avoiding shortcuts leads to stronger outcomes in high-stakes work.
- Stepping away and resetting can improve clarity and decision-making.