Firm Certified as a “Leader” in ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge
NEW YORK, April 2, 2008 — LAWFUEL – Everybody talks about climate change. Now, the international law firm of Chadbourne & Parke is doing something about it by launching a Green Initiative that focuses on recycling and reductions in energy and resource consumption. The program was launched today.
“We recognize, as a Firm and as concerned citizens, our responsibility to help reduce carbon emissions and conserve natural resources,” said partner Adam S. Umanoff, a member of the renewable energy practice who leads the team that developed the Green Initiative. “Our comprehensive program gives everybody an opportunity to have an immediate impact. Institutionally and individually, we are going to walk the walk as well as talk the talk.”
The Firm has been certified as a “Leader” in the ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge, a joint project of the American Bar Association and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Climate Challenge Program encourages law firms to take specific actions to conserve energy and resources, as well as reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
“These steps are the start of an exciting and rewarding process at Chadbourne,” said Charles K. O’Neill, Managing Partner. “The Firm is known for its renewable energy and climate change practices, and we are dedicated to becoming a best-practices firm in the way we use and conserve resources in our own operations.”
The Green Initiative’s roll-out includes these key actions:
On the recycling front, all personnel will have two containers at their desks, labeled for paper and trash. Bottles and cans will be recycled in bins in pantries.
Chadbourne is buying Renewable Energy Certificates to offset 60 percent of its domestic energy use.
General office supplies that contain recycled materials are being used where available; copier paper already has 30 percent recycled content. As stationery and business cards are replaced, they will use a higher content of recycled paper.
Wherever possible, copiers and network printers will be programmed to default to double-sided copies to reduce use of paper.
Firm copiers are Energy Star-designated, a U.S. government designation meaning they are energy efficient. Wherever possible, all new appliances and equipment purchased will be Energy Star-designated.
Firm-branded reusable water bottles will be distributed to enable personnel to use the filtered water fountains and stations in place of disposable bottles of water.
In all offices, wherever possible, wood furniture is being reconditioned and refinished and carpets are being cleaned with environmentally friendly products; paint with fewer toxins is now in use; bathroom faucets and facilities have been retrofitted to use less water.
The Firm will be using environmentally friendly plates, utensils and cups; catered events that previously used plastic will also use such products.
About Chadbourne & Parke LLP
Chadbourne & Parke LLP, an international law firm headquartered in New York City, provides a full range of legal services, including mergers and acquisitions, securities, project finance, private funds, corporate finance, energy/renewable energy and climate change, communications and technology, commercial and products liability litigation, securities litigation and regulatory enforcement, special investigations and litigation, intellectual property, antitrust, domestic and international tax, insurance and reinsurance, environmental, real estate, bankruptcy and financial restructuring, employment law and ERISA, trusts and estates and government contract matters. Major geographical areas of concentration include Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS, the Middle East and Latin America. The Firm has offices in New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Houston, Mexico City, London (a multinational partnership), Moscow, St. Petersburg, Warsaw, Kyiv, Almaty, Dubai and Beijing. For additional information, visit www.chadbourne.com.
