Gillis E. (Gill) Powell, Jr. was born and raised in Crestview, Florida, and graduated from Crestview High School.  He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Auburn University and his law degree (Juris Doctor), Cum Laude, from South Texas College of Law in 1974.  While a law student, he earned the prestigious E.E. Townes Award for Scholastic Excellence.  After graduating from law school, he returned to Crestview to practice law in his hometown.

Mr. Powell is a member of the Florida Bar, the American Association for Justice, the Okaloosa Bar Association, the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association, the Christian Legal Society, and is an Eagle Sponsor/Member of the Florida Justice Association.  He is also a member and a Trustee of the Village Baptist Church in Destin, Florida.

Mr. Powell is licensed to practice in all courts in Florida as well as the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

He is an AV Preeminent rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, an award signifying that his peers ranked his at the highest level of professional excellence. He has also achieved the Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award.

Mr. Powell’s main focus is litigation and trial practice.  He handles complex personal injury cases, medical malpractice cases, wrongful death cases, catastrophic injury cases, criminal defense cases, railroad cases, real estate litigation, and commercial litigation.  Mr. Powell has tried and won numerous civil trials and he has obtained substantial jury awards for his clients. He is a member of the million dollar advocates club as a result of his jury verdicts.  He has also successfully defended many clients in criminal cases, including clients charged with homicide, aggravated battery, sexual battery, drug offenses, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), and other criminal charges.

Mr. Powell is married to Dr. Cheryl C. Powell, an English professor at Northwest Florida State College, and they have three children.