Overview

Adam Gutbezahl is a member of the firm’s Litigation Department and Commercial Real Estate, Construction Law, and Employment Law Groups. Adam represents individuals and businesses in a wide variety of matters, including complex commercial, employment, land use and real estate disputes.

Adam is a recognized thought leader on the legal implications of Generative Artificial Intelligence (“Gen AI”). He is a member of multiple steering committees and task forces regarding the use of Gen AI. Adam has also been a featured speaker for numerous associations and organizations and has written extensively on the topic of Generative Artificial Intelligence, including its legal and practical effects on the workplace.

With his client-driven focus, Adam understands how to translate their concerns into practical solutions that make sense for their individualized needs. In addition to handling contentious, high stakes cases in Massachusetts state and federal courts, Adam counsels his clients on the importance of developing best practices to avoid litigation and mitigate risks.

While attending The George Washington University Law School, Adam was a member of the Moot Court Board and an executive editor of The George Washington Law Review.

Associations & Organizations

  • Boston Bar Association
    • Privacy, Security, & Digital Law Group Steering Committee Member
    • Senior Associates Executive Steering Committee
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Massachusetts Real Estate Bar Association
    • Artificial Intelligence Task Force Member
  • Business Law Artificial Intelligence Practice Group Member
  • MetroWest Chamber of Commerce
  • Performing Arts Center of Metrowest Board of Directors 
  • ProVisors
  • Wayland Select Board (May 2021 – May 2024)
  • Wayland Trust Fund Commission (May 2019 – Present)
  • Northeast HR Association
  • MetroWest HRMA
  • Society for Human Resource Management

Honors & Awards

  • Boston Magazine Top Lawyer (2024)
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Star, Real Estate (2024)
  • Ones to Watch – Rising Stars, New England Real Estate Journal (2024)
  • Selected for Boston Future Leaders Program, a 10-month leadership initiative by Harvard Business School and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (2024)
  • Outstanding Faculty Award, National Business Institute (2023)
  • Emerging Leader of the Year, MetroWest Chamber of Commerce (2022)

Education

The George Washington University Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2013

The George Washington University, B.A., cum laude, 2006

Bar & Court Admission

  • Massachusetts
  • United States District Court of Massachusetts
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Representative Matters

  • Successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of client involving a land use dispute where an abutting property unlawfully trespassed and encroached upon client’s property.
  • Represented homeowners in dispute with general contractor and secured complete judgment in client’s favor after a five-day jury trial at Middlesex Superior Court in Massachusetts. The client prevailed on all claims asserted against them and prevailed on counterclaims of breach of contract, breach of warranty, breach of the Home Improvement Contractor Law, which also resulted in an award of attorneys’ fees under M.G.L. c. 93A.
  • Represented developer seeking permits for a mixed-use multi-unit development who was denied a variance by the zoning board of appeals. Moved for and obtained summary judgment of the variance denial on basis that the board was in error when it determined that the variance was not authorized.
  • Negotiated numerous successful settlement agreements on behalf of clients involving employment, contract, and tort-based claims, both through the mediation process and direct negotiations.

Published Decisions

  • Vasquez v. Cambridge Hous. Auth., 30 LCR 470 (2022)
  • McPhillips v. Lacy, 2022 Mass. LCR LEXIS 38 (May 27, 2022)

Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Guest: eDiscovery Today – Generative AI and its Impact on the Legal Landscape
  • Presenter: myLawCLE – Practical AI Tools for Litigators: Strengths and Weaknesses (August 2024)
  • Presenter: National Business Institute – Employment Law 2024: Tips for Implementing AI in Workplace Policies (August 2024)
  • Presenter: LawPracticeCLE – “Artificial Intelligence in the Legal Practice" (June 2024)
  • Presenter: LawPracticeCLE – “Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace” (June 2024)
  • Co-Panelist: Massachusetts Bar Association’s 45th Annual Labor & Employment Spring Conference – “Employment Law Update” (May 2024)
  • Featured Speaker: IEEE Boston Tech Conference and Expo – “Balancing AI Benefits & Workplace Challenges” (April 2024)
  • Co-Presenter: myLawCLE & Federal Bar Association – “ChatGPT and Generative AI: Transforming Estate Planning Strategies” (February 2024)
  • Featured Speaker: MPI New England’s 2024 Educational Institute – “Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace: Friend or Foe?” (February 2024)
  • Presenter: Interise – “Protecting Your Business in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” (January 2024)
  • Co-Presenter: Rhode Island SHRM – “AI Unveiled: A Practical Guide to Tech and Tangles in Business” (January 2024)
  • Co-Presenter: National Business Institute – “ChatGPT & Generative AI in Estate Planning” (December 2023)
  • Presenter: National Business Institute – “ChatGPT: Legal Issues All Employers Must Know” (November 2023)
  • Presenter: IEEE Boston Consultants Network – “AI in the Workplace” (November 2023)
  • Presenter: MetroWest Chamber of Commerce – “Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace: Friend or Foe” (October 2023)