About Gunster
Corporate Social Responsibility
"Give something back"
To give something back has been a longstanding practice at Gunster, and it's part of the ethos instilled into our corporate culture.
Because ours is a company deeply rooted in Florida, we understand how critical the strength of community is to Florida's future. Our attorneys and staff invest themselves-fully, deeply and willingly-in their communities, offering both their time and expertise.
We support a significant number of organizations in the communities we serve, spanning a variety of causes. Many Gunster attorneys and staff members actively contribute to a community cause.
Ultimately our practice of giving something back benefits our clients. By making communities vibrant places to live, we help make them viable places for our clients to do business.
A responsibility to lead
True leadership requires long and unwavering commitments to causes that benefit the greater good. Our attorneys are leaders not only in their professions but in their support of charities, educational institutions, the arts, cultural groups and community initiatives. We proudly recognize the following awards and laud their recipients:
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Green Law Firm Award, 2009 recipient from the Broward County Women's Lawyers Association
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Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award, 2009, for work on behalf of the Pantry of Broward, to Heidi Davis Knapik.
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Volunteer of the Year Award, YMCA of Broward County, L.A. Lee Family Center, 2009 to Christian Petersen
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Order of Merit, Republic of Italy, 2008, to Art Furia
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Man of the Year, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 2008, to Andrew Wieseneck
To illustrate just how strongly volunteerism is woven into the fabric of Gunster, click here to view examples of our firm's leadership in caring.
A responsibility to give on an ongoing basis
Not every contribution makes the news. What we care about is if it makes a difference.
That's why, on dress-down Fridays, the price for wearing jeans to work is a cash contribution by participating staff members to an adopted cause. Other times, we come together in teams to run marathons for various charities. When there's a blood drive, we roll up our sleeves. When there are hurricanes in Florida or the Caribbean, we send emergency donations immediately, because that's when the help is most needed.
In essence: when someone asks for volunteers, we raise our hands. And we don't wait to be asked.
A responsibility to give others an opportunity
We know that many are less fortunate. And we know we can do something about that. Clothing drives, toy drives, our annual suit drive for women attempting to enter the workforce-these gestures that bring hope and smiles are ones we make readily and often.
Click here to view the additional organizations where Gunster team members serve.
A responsibility to give clients the assurance of a healthy, top-of-their-game staff
Our in-house Wellness Committee works to help all our staff stay healthy, both through programs and education courses as well as by fostering a culture that promotes healthy lifestyles.
"Get well, be well, stay well" is our motto and our mission here. We have an active in-house program with Weight Watchers, stage an annual Health Fair for employees, and provide employees with monthly bulletins on health news.
We are proud of the success of our mission which was featured by WPTV and InShape Magezine in August 2009.
A responsibility to the planet to do our part in our corner of the world
As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship, we have become a partner with the EPA in its Law Office Challenge of best green practices. The Broward County Women Lawyers Association has awarded Gunster its Green Law Firm Award in recognition of the work we're doing through this partnership.
In February of 2010, our Fort Lauderdale office building was chosen to receive a certificate of recognition from the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as it relates to the Emerald Award Program. All businesses awarded certificates will be reviewed and those that excel will be awarded the Emerald Award to recognize facilities that demonstrate ongoing compliance with environmental regulations and the implementation of programs that protect and preserve our environment over and above statutory requirements.
Recycling
We recycle 90% of our office paper (confidential documents are first shredded), and 90% of the paper we buy is made in part with post-consumer recycled content. We close the loop some more by buying recycled file folders and other office supplies. We also practice double-sided photocopying whenever possible.
And while our cup may runneth over, it's not made of Styrofoam. We use only biodegradable paper products.