Law Office Sustainability Tools
The Office Practices Committee develops practical tools for the law office which seeks to reduce the ecological impact of its operations. A model sustainability policy and three detailed checklists, as well as supplemental materials, have been developed.
Model Sustainability Policy | Sustainable Practices
Tenant
Improvements | Building Manager Practices
Lunch Vendor Guidelines | Green Event Guidelines
The Office Practices Task Force has developed a model sustainability
policy and three detailed checklists. Additionally, annotated versions of selected checklists and supplemental materials are available for education of law office personnel.
Model Law Office Sustainability
Policy. A key element in
any law office initiative is a sustainability policy adopted by the management
team. The policy states the intent of
the office to operate in a sustainable manner and delineates specific steps to be taken to
accomplish that goal. OLSF has prepared a model sustainability policy for law firms.
Sustainable Practices in the Law Office. The day-to-day
operations of a law office have an impact on the natural world. This checklist assists the law in assessing its current practices and in considering new practices that might be adopted. OLSF has prepared (1) an operations checklist and (2) an annotated list.
Lunch Vendor Guidelines. Lunch meetings often have an impact on the natural world due to excess packaging and the types of food served. OLSF has prepared guidelines to assist law firms in developing a list of preferred, sustainable lunch vendors.
Planning Green Events, Offsite Meetings, & Retreats. Many law firms hold meetings outside of the office. The practices of the offsite facility managers can have a major impact on the natural world. OLSF has prepared guidelines for planning green events, offsite meetings, and retreats
Guidelines for Sustainable Tenant Improvements. Tenant improvements and other interior
modification of space are a continual issue for many law offices. The manufacture and supply of building
products and the disposition of construction debris have a major impact
on the natural world. OLSF has prepared
(1) a tenant improvements checklist for use in preparing specifications for
tenant improvements and (2) an annotated list for use by law office personnel.
Sustainable Practices for the Building Manager. Most law offices
occupy rented space or space maintained by a facilities manager such as lighting, heating/cooling systems, and janitorial supplies. Practices of the building manager have a major impact on the natural world. OLSF has prepared (1) a checklist for the
building manager, (2) an annotated checklist for use by law office personnel, and (3) a model memorandum from the law office to the building manager. These checklists can also be used in the
firm that owns space.
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OLSF is currently gathering feedback about the Law Office Sustainability Tools. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email Emily Cain at info@earthleaders.org.