Careers

We at Gesmer Updegrove want to help you find your forever home. Just take our word for it.  With the average employee staying for 10+ years, we do our best at fostering a flexible office environment where attorneys strive to a high level of professional achievement while in the office and are also able to enjoy their lives outside the firm.

Our attorneys and support staff are considered our GU Family. From employees celebrating their 30-year anniversaries here to first year associates becoming equity partners, our vibe consists of a strong sense of camaraderie and trust among peers while fostering a collegial environment that does not focus on unrealistic expectations and demands.

All firms say that they offer salaries that are competitive with other law firms in Boston, but at Gesmer we live up to the hype.  We are constantly monitoring the market and offer a competitive base salary to all of our attorneys, from the most junior to the most senior. In addition, our bonuses are second to none.  For instance,  we offer every timekeeper a substantial bonus at just 1,450 hours and later pay an additional hours bonus for every billable hour over that.

Curious about fostering marketing?  We also offer origination bonuses for associates and senior counsel, running for the life of any client they originate. As long as a modest threshold it achieved, our associates and senior counsel keep a share of every dollar their clients bring in the door.!  

With competitive salaries and bonuses like these, we have coined the idea of “making your own salary”.

Health Insurance:

We believe Gesmer offers the best in health and dental insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield and with low employee contribution and the firm covering your up front deductibles. We no of no other firm our size that offering the kind of coverage we do!

Other Benefits

We will put our benefits up against anyone’s to compare! We offer short- and long-term disability, life/ADD insurance, long term care insurance – each paid 100% by the firm!  And if that is not enough, the firm has a 401(K) match of 25% and a discretionary profit-sharing plan.

Counseling

Gesmer Updegrove offers access to free, confidential counseling services through an Employee Assistance Program for you and your immediate family.  The counseling and referral service is available for help with personal problems, such as substance abuse, family difficulties, stress, financial and emotional issues.

Gesmer Updegrove is committed to providing a work environment that is free of illegal discrimination and harassment. Sexual harassment, as well as harassment based on race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status, is unlawful. Harassment by anyone, whether at the work site, in the course of work assignments off site, at firm-sponsored social functions or elsewhere, or retaliation against anyone who complains about sexual harassment, will not be tolerated.

Our mission to nurture, build, and celebrate a culture that focuses on acceptance drives how we operate at the firm. Gesmer Updegrove is committed to maintaining a workplace that is welcoming and inclusive of people of any race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or gender expression, age, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, veteran status or other identity or status that is protected by law. Accordingly, we maintain policies designed to ensure people of all such identities and statuses are treated equitably in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, and onboarding

The GU Associates Committee serves as a sounding board for the firm’s associates. In addition to social gatherings, associates gather regularly to discuss issues of interest. The committee works closely with firm management to address any issues and to enhance firm culture at GU.

Additionally, the committee initiated and continues to run the Associate Mentorship Program, an associate-to-associate mentoring program aimed at ensuring that new associates have a positive introduction to the firm. During their first week at GU, new associates are paired with associates with equal or more experience, ideally from the same department, whom they can go to for advice or day-to-day questions.

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CHARITABLE GIVING COMMITTEE

The Charitable Giving Committee supports the firm’s interest in providing opportunities for its attorneys and staff to engage in charitable giving and community service, including through making donations to 501(c)(3) organizations, volunteering in groups in community service activities and events, and providing legal services on a pro bono basis pursuant to the firm’s pro bono policy. 

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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE

The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee seeks to facilitate the firm’s ongoing efforts to promote greater diversity and foster an environment in which individuals of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities feel welcome, valued, and included.  The DEI Committee accomplishes this by: 

• Recommending, supporting, and assessing strategic initiatives to attract, develop, support, and retain exceptional and diverse people; 
• Supporting DEI efforts within the firm and in the communities, we serve and participate in; and 
• Raising awareness of important issues that impact DEI through education, training, events, and conversations. 

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

The Executive Committee is tasked with advising the equity partners on significant decisions they must make, or initiatives they must approve, regarding firm operations and long-term planning. The Executive Committee is also authorized to make significant policy and planning decisions that do not require equity partner input. Further, the Executive Committee acts as a proxy for the equity partners to receive and act on suggestions and other input from firm committees and individuals, and, where appropriate, delegate responsibility for such matters. Finally, the Executive Committee may advise the Managing Partner or Firm Administrator/CFO on matters within such individuals’ authority.  The Executive Committee is composed of the Managing Partner and two other equity partners, chosen for rotating three-year terms by the equity partners.

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MARKETING COMMITTEE

The Marketing Committee is committed to the development and implementation of firm marketing initiatives with the purpose of supporting and enhancing business development, client retention, and advancing the firm’s profile in key markets. Committee members act as sounding board for new marketing initiatives and tools, develop and hone marketing-related ideas, and provide feedback on marketing activities. 

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THE GUZETTE

The Publications Committee is responsible for the production and publication of the Firm’s periodical, The Guzette. The Committee also maintains and updates the Firm’s Photo Book.

The goal of The Guzette is to bring the GU family closer together by contributing to the development and maintenance of our shared culture through the publication of personal stories, team achievements, firm history, and helpful or interesting information. In doing so, The Guzette helps to improve morale, retention, and a shared sense of community.

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WOMEN’S COMMITTEE

Recognizing that women face unique challenges in the legal profession, Gesmer’s Women’s Committee is dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of females in the legal field and at the firm through intellectual and social enrichment. The Committee meets on a regular basis to provide members with organizational and group support in the creation, development, and fulfillment of professional and personal opportunities both within and outside of the firm.