Trial Attorney Willie Gary and Team File $100 Million Discrimination Lawsuit on behalf of Famed Radio Personality George Willborn and his Family

Gary and Team Take on Chicago Real Estate Giants: The Lowe Group, Midwest Realty Ventures and Prudential Rubloff Properties

Chicago, IL – Prominent trial attorney Willie Gary announced today that he will spearhead the legal team in a $100 million discrimination lawsuit against one of Chicago’s well-known real estate companies, The Lowe Group Chicago, Inc. and Prudential Rubloff Properties.  The lawsuit was filed at Chicago’s Eastern Division Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse (case #10C5382), on behalf of famed radio personality, George Willborn and his family for punitive and compensatory damages. Gary and his law partner Michael Lewis and attorney Jason Williams of the Florida-based law firm of Gary, Williams, Finney, Lewis, Watson and Sperando, P.L. have joined forces with Houston, Texas-based attorney, Charles H. Peckham in an effort to expose the discriminatory actions that were taken by real estate agent Jeffrey Lowe, his company, and his clients, Daniel and Adrienne Sabbia, by refusing to sell to or otherwise making unavailable to the Willborns a home, on the basis of their African American race. 

The lawsuit contends that radio personality George Willborn and his family were victims of racial discrimination when they were refused the purchase of a Bridgeport -neighborhood residence because of their race.  The Sabbias, a white married couple, owned the property and had been trying to sell the residence for two years when the Willborns became interested in the home and made a bona fide offer on the dwelling.  The Willborns were identified as qualified buyers, negotiations ensued and the Willborns accepted the Sabbias’ counteroffer.  A sales contract was prepared and after many days, the Sabbias failed to respond or sign the contract.  The Sabbias subsequently took the property off the market stating that Mrs. Sabbia suddenly had a change of heart and no longer wanted to leave the residence.

A verified complaint was filed with the United States Department of Urban Housing and Development (HUD) and it was determined by the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) that reasonable cause existed to believe that a discriminatory housing practice had occurred in this case based on race.  FHEO authorized HUD to proceed with the issuance of a charge of discrimination.  George Willborn and his family have been subjected to the emotional and physical harm of discrimination and have suffered damages including economic loss, emotional distress, inconvenience and a lost housing opportunity.

“It is unfathomable that something like this could happen in today’s society,” commented Gary.  “Since the days of Dr. King, our nation has come so far in the area of race relations.  It just goes to show that there is much work to be done.  This type of oppression forces us to reflect on the values of this country and the civil rights Dr. King and Rosa Parks fought for, and we seek justice.  This case is about doing what is right and recognizing that everyone is equal,” continued Gary.

Gary is no stranger to seeking justice.  Gary and his legal team are known for taking on some of the nation’s most powerful corporate giants.  In 1995, a jury awarded Gary and his legal team a record-breaking, half-billion dollars against one of the world’s largest funeral chains, The Loewen Group. In addition, Gary is noted for winning a $240 million jury verdict in Orange County against the Walt Disney Corporation for his clients who alleged that Disney stole their idea for a sports theme park. In 2001, a jury awarded Gary a $139.6 million verdict for the Maris Distributing Company against Anheuser Busch.

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Willie Gary and Team Awarded $1.5 Million Verdict Against Ethan Allen Global, Inc. and Ethan Allen, Inc. for Failure to Give Reasonable Notice

Stuart, FL (July 30, 2010) – Willie Gary, along with partners CK Hoffler and Manny Socias and associate attorney Paul D. Mark Lucas were awarded a $1.5 million judgment on behalf of their clients Nicholas and Jo-Ann Mariano and their company Treasure Coast Interiors, Inc.   Throughout the course of a two-week trial, Gary and team proved that Ethan Allen breached its contractual relationship with Treasure Coast Interiors when it acted in bad faith by terminating Treasure Coast Interiors, Inc. after 14 years without giving it reasonable notice.  CLICK HERE TO VIEW VERDICT FORM.

After roughly 9 hours of deliberations, the Jury returned a verdict in favor of Gary’s clients, the Marianos and Treasure Coast Interiors, for $1.5 million for their net losses.  The Jury determined that Ethan Allen should have provided Treasure Coast Interiors with a two-year notice period upon termination. 

“Nick and Jo-Ann Mariano worked many years to build their business and Ethan Allen tried to destroy them financially and put them out of business completely by not giving them enough notice when they were terminated.  So often we see major corporations taking advantage of the little guy and that type of behavior cannot be tolerated.  We are content that justice has prevailed.  It is not about the money, it’s about doing what is right,” commented Gary. 
 
Ethan Allen was also served with a second and completely different lawsuit filed by Nick and Jo-Ann Mariano, individually, in the Brevard County Circuit Court in Melbourne.  The Marianos claim that they were destroyed financially by Ethan Allen’s improper actions.  Due to Ethan Allen’s misconduct, the Mariano’s have suffered a tremendous financial loss as well as damage to their reputations.

Gary is no stranger to justice.  He is noted for winning a $240 million jury verdict in Orange County Florida against the Walt Disney Corporation for their clients who alleged Disney stole their idea for a sports theme park.  Also, Gary was awarded $18 million, Florida’s largest jury verdict of its kind, against the media conglomerate Gannett Company for the false portrayal of their client in a series of newspaper articles.  In 2001, a jury awarded Gary a $139.6 million verdict for the Maris Distributing Company against Anheuser Busch.  In addition, Gary was given a half-billion dollar verdict in Jackson, Mississippi against the Loewen Group, a large Canadian funeral home chain. 

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Gary, Williams, Finney, Lewis, Watson and Sperando, P.L. Attorneys Recognized as 2010 ‘Florida Super Lawyers’ and 2010 ‘Rising Star’ by Florida Super Lawyers

The June issue of Florida Super Lawyers magazine has recognized Willie Gary and Linnes Finney, Jr. as two of the top attorneys in the state of Florida.  Gary was honored in the practice area of personal injury plaintiff - medical malpractice and Finney was honored in the category of personal injury plaintiff – general.  Both Gary and Finney are nationally-known litigators who have achieved landmark verdicts and settlements on behalf of their clients.  The two have been law partners for over 25 years.

The magazine also named Jason L. Williams as one of the “2010 Florida Rising Stars” in the practice area of general personal injury – plaintiff. Super Lawyers “2010 Florida Rising Stars” is the listing of top lawyers who are 40 years old and younger or who have been practicing for 10 years or less.

For the last 10 years, Williams has been an attorney in the law firm of Gary, Williams, Finney, Lewis, Watson and Sperando, P.L., in Stuart, Florida and has been responsible for overseeing cases in the areas of wrongful death, personal injury and other civil litigation matters.  Mr. Williams received his B.A. from the University of Florida and his law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law.  He is a member of the Florida Bar and holds membership in the National Bar Association, Florida Justice Association, Caribbean Bar Association, Martin County Bar Association and the Palm Beach County Bar Association.  He has served on the boards of many community organizations and has received numerous recognitions and honors.

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Trial Attorney Willie Gary Receives
Lifetime Achievement Award

Gary Serves as Keynote Speaker at Old Dominion Bar Association’s 70th Annual Conference and Motivates Virginia
Lawyers and Judges to Give Back

Norfolk, VA — Trial attorney Willie E. Gary recently served as the keynote speaker during the 70th Annual Old Dominion Bar Association’s Conference in Norfolk, Virginia. Gary addressed a full house of nearly 100 lawyers and judges from throughout the state of Virginia.  He shared his personal story of triumph despite growing up as a migrant worker and challenged the lawyers and judges to use their knowledge and expertise to help shape society.  In addition, Gary urged the lawyers and judges to reach back and help future lawyers by sharing their time, talent and resources. During the banquet, Gary was also presented with the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his numerous charitable contributions and philanthropic endeavors. 

“The room was filled with excitement tonight and it was very clear that Mr. Gary left these lawyers, judges and leaders with much to contemplate,” commented Congressman Bobby Scott, who represents the 3rd District of Virginia.
                   
Gary, who is best known in legal circles as “The Giant Killer,” is noted for taking on some of America’s most powerful companies--winning billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients.  Known for his philanthropic endeavors, he and his wife, Gloria Gary, founded The Gary Foundation, which provides college scholarships to at-risk students who wish to attend college. The Gary’s have donated millions of dollars to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities – including $10 million to their alma mater Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina.