Giving Back

When Gunster first opened its door on Palm Beach in 1925, Florida barely resembled what we know today.  And as communities have emerged and broadened across the state, Gunster has expanded and changed with the landscape of Florida and the businesses which continue to build and foster its growth. A vital part of our Firm culture is to demonstrate our commitment to giving back to these communities, the platform of our success, in principle and in practice in every area throughout the state of Florida and beyond. This commitment was established by our founding partners and provides the model for today.

At Gunster, we are privileged to have the opportunity to give back to the communities we serve by supporting a significant number of organizations, spanning a variety of causes.  Furthermore, committed partners, associates and support staff are encouraged to initiate programs reflecting their own interests, contributing through charitable donations, membership on boards of non-for-profit organizations and volunteer service.

We proudly recognize the following awards and laud their recipients:

• Visionary Leadership Award, Northern Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, 2011, to Mike Mitrione
• Green Law Firm Award, 2009 recipient from the Broward County Women’s Lawyers Association
• Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award, 2009, for work on behalf of the Pantry of Broward, to Heidi Davis Knapik
• Volunteer of the Year Award, YMCA of Broward County, L.A. Lee Family Center, 2009 to Christian Petersen
• 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 Magazine 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.

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.