Diversity

An Unwavering Commitment

Diversity and equal opportunity are essential to our role as one of Florida’s leading law firms. Our leadership fully understands that fair and equal treatment is necessary to promote an exceptional culture that enables our firm to provide an unparalleled level of client service. We also recognize that the definition of diversity goes beyond the traditional measures of gender and ethnicity to include an appreciation for differences in thought, style, capabilities and leadership.

Our commitment to these goals is driven by leadership and supported by our Diversity Committee, recruiting and training development efforts, and our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy. The firm is committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, covered veteran status or other factors prohibited by law. Our attorneys and business professionals reflect Florida’s distinctive, diverse and rich culture. For Gunster, this is not just a policy or a statement, it is a foundational principle reflected in how we treat each other and all of those we interact with.

Recruiting top talent is key to our success. We are actively involved in and host recruiting and mentoring events, in Florida and across the southeast, that allow us to meet exceptional candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds. Our comprehensive attorney recruiting and mentoring efforts reflect our commitment to fostering a vibrant and diverse workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

We believe our family-oriented culture creates a sense of belonging and greater job satisfaction. Gunster has a high level of employee retention, in part because we are intentional about cultivating an inclusive work environment where everyone has access to fulfilling and challenging work, substantive and developmental feedback, mentorship, career guidance and healthy work-life integration. We recognize that the continuity of service and preservation of institutional knowledge provide our clients with a distinct advantage.

Gunster is also a highly visible and active participant in the communities in which our employees live and work, providing additional support for our efforts to attract the most qualified candidates and to advance our diversity and community efforts. We are fully committed to creating and maintaining a law firm that reflects the state and communities we serve.

Gunster is committed to the professional growth of all of our employees. This includes our women lawyers and other groups traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession. Through both the Diversity Committee and our Women’s Leadership Forum, the firm invests in talent initiatives that foster diversity in leadership positions within the firm and beyond. Both groups are led by the firm’s shareholders and include team members from a wide variety of backgrounds who focus on recruiting, retention, leadership training and ensuring that our marketing outreach efforts include all sectors of the communities in which we do business.

Gunster’s Diversity Mission Statement

Gunster’s Diversity Committee develops and implements strategies designed to promote the firm's diversity efforts. The Committee is led by firm shareholders and includes team members of many different backgrounds.

The Diversity Committee fulfills its mission by focusing on five strategic priorities:

Recruiting and retaining skilled professionals of different backgrounds and without regard to race, religion, age, gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, medical conditions or disabilities, and marital, veteran or family status;
Ensuring equal opportunity for all employees to be involved in client legal work, initiatives and projects, and to engage with clients consistent with his or her skill and experience level;
Participating in the firm's mentor program in which our newer professionals are placed with a more experienced member of our firm who can assist him or her with achieving professional excellence and successfully realizing his or her desired career path within the firm;
Making recommendations regarding the firm's training and education for all members of the Gunster team to ensure compliance with the firm's EEO policy, prepare to work with others on the team, as well as to serve our diverse client base; and
Ensuring the firm’s marketing and outreach efforts reach all sectors of the communities in which we do business