Phyllis M. Gillespie

Phyllis M. Gillespie

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PHYLLIS M. GILLESPIE, Esquire, has more than 30 years combined nursing and legal experience. She graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She began her nursing career as a critical care nurse at St. Louis University Medical Center. After working at St. Luke’s Hospital, Houston, TX, as a Cardiac Care Nurse for several years, she was promoted to Assistant Nurse Manager for the Cardiac Care Unit.

Ms. Gillespie attended The University of Memphis–Cecil C. Humphrey School of Law while she continued to work as a critical care nurse at Regional Medical Center. She received the distinguished American Jurisprudence Award in Contracts II and Entertainment Law and the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in Copyright.

While in law school, she clerked with the Honorable James Swearingen at Shelby County Circuit Court. After graduating, Ms. Gillespie interned with AC Wharton (the former Mayor of the City of Memphis) in his private practice, Wharton & Wharton.

Ms. Gillespie joined the medical malpractice department at Law Firm of Gary, Williams, Parent, Watson & Gary, PLLC, in Stuart, Florida in June of 1997. She now manages the Medical Malpractice Department and handles complex medical negligence, tractor trailer, breach of contract and personal injury cases for clients all over the country. She has participated in numerous multi-million dollar jury trials and settlements.

Ms. Gillespie currently serves on the board of Pace Center for Girls, Inc., Treasure Coast, as board chair; and on the board of Helping People Succeed, Inc., and as chair of parent board. She previously served on the board of directors for Gertrude Walden Child Care Center (former board chair) for over ten (10) years; and she previously served on the Student Advisory Committee at Stuart Middle School and at Jensen Beach High School.

Ms. Gillespie is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, (Ft. Pierce Alumnae Chapter); currently serves as the Chapter President Treasure Coast (FL) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. She previously served as chair of the Health and Human Services and National Trends facets; and vice president and chair of Membership for the Treasure Coast (FL) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. Ms. Gillespie is a member of the National Bar Association, the Virgil Hawkins Bar Association, Martin County Bar (former chair of the diversity committee); the Treasure Coast Justice Association, the Florida Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association. She serves as the Fourth Vice President of the Martin County Chapter of the NAACP.

Ms. Gillespie is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and Florida and has been granted special permission to practice in more than 10 other jurisdictions. She is published in Causes of Action 2nd, 18 COA2d West Group, Causes of Action Against a Physician for Laparoscopic Negligence and has given numerous seminars on medical negligence.

Ms. Gillespie’s son, Harry, received a BA in MIS from Old Dominion University in 2011 and a Master’s in MIS from Florida State in 2015; and her daughter, Mallory is a graduate with honors from the University of Florida and a graduate Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University’s with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.