Our centennial year, 2025, brought both celebration and collaboration across Florida. These are some of the moments that marked our year.
5. Strategic Growth
A commitment to thoughtful growth has continued in our centennial year. In 2025, we welcomed 30 attorneys to #TeamGunster, bolstering our footprint as one of Florida’s largest law firms. Additionally, of note, the firm’s highly regarded Summer Associate Program is now ranked among the nation’s Top 20 programs overall.
Earlier this year, we further strengthened our position as a leader in the Miami legal market, establishing a Coral Gables office with the addition of attorneys from Katz Barron.
In 2025, we continued to expand our client services with the launch of two subsidiaries. Zest, a women-led eDiscovery service provider, delivers tailored solutions that empower mid-sized law firms to navigate complex litigation challenges. And Arrow Group, which launched just ahead of the 2025 Legislative Session, is a dynamic new partnership that significantly extends our statewide presence in public policy consulting.
4. Firm Accolades
Gunster’s top-tier practices and distinguished attorneys have been continually recognized as among the best in their field. Among our accolades this year is being named “Best Companies to Work For” by Florida Trend for the ninth consecutive year, ranking among the top five largest companies in 2025.
Additionally, 38 attorneys and 13 practice areas were recognized in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA. Among the practices ranked, our eDiscovery team was nationally recognized, and our Private Wealth Services team maintained “Band 1” in the High Net Worth Guide. These recognitions underscore our statewide strength and national reach.
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. CoMMITMENT TO COllaboration
In 2025, our commitment to collaboration continued with strategic partnerships and initiatives throughout the state and around the globe.
Together with Arrow Group, we hosted the Healthcare Forum, bringing together leading healthcare professionals, policymakers, and industry experts to explore timely topics and emerging trends in the healthcare industry.
Gunster partnered with Bisnow to help convene market-shaping conversations across Florida, with our attorneys moderating panel discussions in key hubs including Tampa Bay, Miami, Palm Beach, and Jacksonville. These engagements spotlighted the state’s evolving development and construction landscape—from economic growth strategies and transit-oriented planning to multifamily trends and downtown revitalization.
Gunster and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida hosted their annual CEO Roundtable featuring Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA). Moderated by Gunster’s Derek Bruce, chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, the discussion covered Orlando International Airport's (MCO) economic impact, the capital plan ahead, procurement opportunities, and the leadership practices that sustain operational excellence at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
Additionally, Gunster joined the World Law Group, complementing its longstanding engagement with two other leading global networks, the Employment Law Alliance and Globalaw. These networks allow us to deepen clients’ access to trusted counsel worldwide. Attorneys from multiple offices participated in WLG programming throughout the year, including its annual summit in Seattle, Washington.
Gunster proudly sponsored the Women in Energy Leadership Forum, recognizing leaders shaping Florida’s energy industry. Now in its 10th year, the Forum—launched by former Gunster shareholder Lila A. Jaber—highlights leadership and workforce diversity, and our support helps power its statewide impact.
2. Alumni Achievements
Since our inception, Gunster has maintained a tradition of attracting and cultivating many of Florida’s most prominent legal counsel. Many ‘Gunster greats’ have gone on to attain positions of significant statewide and national leadership, both in and out of the courtroom.
In March, the U.S. Senate confirmed former Labor & Employment Law attorney Keith E. Sonderling as the 38th United States Deputy Secretary of Labor. Many Gunster colleagues attended his Senate Confirmation Hearing in Washington, D.C.
In September, former Business Litigation shareholder Nathan W. Hill was appointed as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Middle District of Florida—marking the firm’s first federal judicial appointment.
In December, Gunster hosted a Centennial Alumni Celebration to honor those who have helped shape the firm in its journey to 100 years. At the event, attendees raised a glass to the next century of shared excellence, service and success.
1. Celebrating a Century of Service
In 1925, a small law firm was founded in West Palm Beach during Palm Beach’s Gilded Age. Today, one hundred years later, Gunster has expanded and evolved to become one of Florida’s largest and most forward-thinking law firms—growing alongside both our clients and our communities.
Throughout 2025, we commemorated and celebrated our centennial with initiatives and special events of every kind—from city and county proclamations to firmwide service projects and even published a commemorative coffee table book recounting the Gunster origin story.
Through our “Century of Service” initiative, the firm's attorneys and professional staff set out to achieve 1,925 hours of community service—a nod to our founding year—by partnering with over 500 civic and community organizations across the state. We ultimately exceeded that goal, achieving 2,255 hours. This commitment to service has always been the hallmark of who we are and what we do—an ethos not only reflected in our foundation, but also in our future.
As our centennial comes to a close, Gunster is grateful for the moments that have always mattered most—with our colleagues, our clients, and our communities. And as we toast to our past, we do so with confidence that our future holds even greater promise. With a century of history behind us, we're dedicated to the future of Florida’s economy, strengthening our communities, and serving its people.
