Press Release: Chelsie Vokes Included in the Worcester Business Journal’s “40 under Forty”

August 24, 2026

Boston and Worcester, MA – August 24, 2026 – This week, Chelsie Vokes, an Associate at Bowditch, was named in the Worcester Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty” list. The annual “40 Under Forty” list includes 40 individuals, across numerous industries, who are influencing the economy and community of Central Massachusetts.

Vokes was honored for her exceptional insight and thorough understanding as an employment and higher education attorney. Since joining Bowditch in 2017, she has assisted clients with hiring and termination, employee discipline, personnel policies and handbooks, and internal investigations. Vokes has also drafted policies and employee agreements, such as ones relating to employment, compensation, commission, confidentiality, non-competition, and separation.

“Chelsie being named as one of the ‘40 Under Forty’ is well deserved,” said Robert Young, Employment Practice Area Leader at Bowditch. “Her ability to advise her clients on a wide variety of issues–and to translate the substantive legal doctrines into practical, actionable items–is invaluable. We’re lucky to have such a dynamic, experienced, and capable attorney as a part of our team.”

Vokes serves her higher education clients in dealing with issues specific to colleges and universities, including with Title IX compliance, sexual misconduct, risk management, government matters, and student and faculty issues. In this role, she’s conducted dozens of investigations, interviewing witnesses and providing next steps to her clients. Across a wide spectrum of cases, she’s worked as a litigator, investigator, advisor and trainer to scores of educational institutions.

Her expertise has not gone unnoticed. From 2022 through 2025, she was named in the Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. She was also included on the Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch list multiple times, winning for Labor and Employment Law – Management (2024-2027), Litigation – Labor and Employment (2024-2027) and Education Law (2027).

ABOUT BOWDITCH & DEWEY LLP

Bowditch is a highly regarded law firm handling sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation and complex regulatory issues for businesses, families, and institutions throughout Massachusetts, the region and beyond.

With more than 60 lawyers seamlessly connected in four strategic Massachusetts offices – Boston, Plymouth, Southborough and Worcester – Bowditch is deep in the areas of business and finance, real estate and environmental, litigation, employment, family law, and estate and tax planning, delivering outstanding client satisfaction and quality legal services.