July/August 2008
Going Green?
How the legal community helps the environment
From the pileup of plastic water bottles in our landfills to the impending encroachment of icecap melt on our shorelines, the effect of pollution and overconsumption of natural resources has reached a boiling point in San Diego, just as it hasacross the globe. Area attorneys, firms and government agencies gave San Diego Lawyer a look into their environmentally friendly practices, offering inventive and varying answers to the question “How are you going green at work?”
"Procopio is continuing its commitment to protecting the environment by adopting a firm-wide ‘green initiative’ that will use the recommendations of the American Bar Association’s law firm sustainability challenge as a starting point ... We are seeking out new ideas, such as purchasing only 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled paper, processed chlorine-free or using soy-based inks, increasing eco-reminder information and signage and establishing a Green Council and Green Library.”
“I am the recycle queen of Chambers 1. With Judge Gonzalez’ blessing, we are able to do some recycling and maintain a little ‘green’ in chambers ... When any electronic equipment, such as computers, is replaced, the clerk’s office recycles these, along with batteries and printer cartridges.”
“Last year Luce Forward formed a committee focused on pursuing new environmentally friendly practices in all of its offices statewide. ‘Green’ measures already in effect include an extensive recycling program for paper in all copiers and printers, as well as for printer cartridges, the use of energy-efficient light bulbs that turn off when the office isn’t in use and a transportation allowance for employees that completely pays for their trolley or train passes.”
“Littler Mendelson San Diego is proud to support various recycling efforts, and we hope to have opportunities in the future for additional ways to support a sustainable environment. Among the things we currently do are ... encouraging the use of glass wareand ceramic coffee cups to reduce our use of foam cups ... and supporting our employees who walk and take public transportation to work. One reason we remained down town when we moved our location two years ago was to remain accessible by public transportation, which was not readily available in North County.”
“My office has been going green for several years. Bottles, glass and aluminum are routinely recycled. Paper is shredded and recycled as well. All attorneys and staff are asked to make a dent in global warming by making sure lights and computers are turned of fwhen not in use.”
“Higgs, Fletcher & Mack is recycling paper, cans, bottles, batteries, computer equipment and burned-out kitchen appliances. We are in the process of purchasing recycled paper cups, and we are using low-energy lights where they are permitted.”
“Our Worlddox document management system allows the electronic storage of virtually all case materials (except the infamous ROPE), allowing easy electronic access, which often eliminates the need to copy from the hard file. This system is also integrated to our e-mail, which allows the option of electronically storing certain e-mails without having to print them.”
“The Sheriff’s Department recycles toner and ink cartridges, as well as nonconfidential paper. We also have offices equipped with motion sensors designed to shut the lights off after a short period of time with no movement.”
“We were the only law firm to receive an award from the San Diego Association of Governments in 2008, and we are invery good company. These awards recognize organizations for their contributions to reducing traffic congestion and improving mobility in the region. Pillsbury’s San Diego offices encourage employees to utilize public transportation and carpool, as well as offer flexible schedules and the ability to telecommute, wherever reasonable. The firm subsidizes the use of public transit by reimbursing employees for the full price of a Coaster, bus or trolley pass each month.”
“While Sheppard Mullin has had an informal recycling program for some time, this year the firm is enacting a comprehensive Sustainability Program in order to participate in the ABA-EPA Law Office Eco-Challenge, a pilot project that encourages use of renewable energy and more efficient use of resources.”
“Under the leadership of Attorney General Jerry Brown, the state Attorney General’s office kicked off an aggressive statewide green program in January of this year. The office is taking a leading role in litigating cases to reduce global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, and it is putting its words into action by reducing the environmental impact of its own operations. In short order, the office converted to 100 percent recycle dpaper, stepped up recycling efforts, promoted duplex printing to reduce paper usage, participated in computer-return and other environmental projects and established contacts with community environmental agencies, like the UCSD Environmentand Sustainability Initiative. The office has even sold eco-friendly shopping bags to staff!”
“Our firm has recycling containers in all rooms and offices to recycle paper, cans, glass and plastic. The firm also participated in a beach cleanup day in the fall.”
“The Office of County Counsel strives to employ green policies. In addition to recycling paper, toner, cans, etc., we also purchase recycled and eco-friendly office supplies and food service items. Further, we employ technology whenever possible to lessen the need for paper documentation, have made ‘Having a Greener Workplace’ the topic of our County Counsel Managers Conference this year and are currently exploring other green avenues, such as hy-brid cars.”
“At Heller Ehrman in San Diego, besides the usual ‘green’ practices of recycling or carpooling when possible, the air conditioning is shut down on the weekends, and anyone who needs to work in the office on the weekend specifically requests air conditioning on his or her area of the floor, thus conserving energy. We also use motion sensors for our office lights.”
“Our office is in the process of obtaining its ‘green certification,’ the guidelines of which include replacing cleaning supplies with less toxic alternatives and purchasing hospitality supplies in bulk as opposed to single-serving sizes to reduce packaging waste. Also, on an unrelated but interesting note, the hardwood floor in our lobby is made of recycled railroad ties.”
Care to share some of your eco-friendly practices with the San Diego legal community? Contact us at erind@lassd.org. If you are interested in participating in the ABA-EPA program to which both Procopio and Sheppard Mullin have committed, visit www.abanet.org/environ/ecochallenge/overview.shtml.
Erin Drenning is a Pro Bono Program staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of San Diego,Inc. and can be reached at erind@lassd.org.
—JOHN LORM0N, partner,
Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch
“I am the recycle queen of Chambers 1. With Judge Gonzalez’ blessing, we are able to do some recycling and maintain a little ‘green’ in chambers ... When any electronic equipment, such as computers, is replaced, the clerk’s office recycles these, along with batteries and printer cartridges.”
—BONNIE CRAIG, administrative assistant
to Chief Judge Irma E. Gonzalez,
United States District Court,
Southern District of California
“Last year Luce Forward formed a committee focused on pursuing new environmentally friendly practices in all of its offices statewide. ‘Green’ measures already in effect include an extensive recycling program for paper in all copiers and printers, as well as for printer cartridges, the use of energy-efficient light bulbs that turn off when the office isn’t in use and a transportation allowance for employees that completely pays for their trolley or train passes.”
—PAT BALAOING, director of facilities,
Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps
“Littler Mendelson San Diego is proud to support various recycling efforts, and we hope to have opportunities in the future for additional ways to support a sustainable environment. Among the things we currently do are ... encouraging the use of glass wareand ceramic coffee cups to reduce our use of foam cups ... and supporting our employees who walk and take public transportation to work. One reason we remained down town when we moved our location two years ago was to remain accessible by public transportation, which was not readily available in North County.”
—JEREMY ROTH, San Diego office managing shareholder,
Littler Mendelson
“My office has been going green for several years. Bottles, glass and aluminum are routinely recycled. Paper is shredded and recycled as well. All attorneys and staff are asked to make a dent in global warming by making sure lights and computers are turned of fwhen not in use.”
—JOSH GRUENBERG,
The Law Offices of Joshua Gruenberg
“Higgs, Fletcher & Mack is recycling paper, cans, bottles, batteries, computer equipment and burned-out kitchen appliances. We are in the process of purchasing recycled paper cups, and we are using low-energy lights where they are permitted.”
—ANNA RUSHWORTH, human resources director,
Higgs, Fletcher & Mack
“Our Worlddox document management system allows the electronic storage of virtually all case materials (except the infamous ROPE), allowing easy electronic access, which often eliminates the need to copy from the hard file. This system is also integrated to our e-mail, which allows the option of electronically storing certain e-mails without having to print them.”
—WILLIAM PATE, partner,
Stutz Artiano Shinoff & Holtz
“The Sheriff’s Department recycles toner and ink cartridges, as well as nonconfidential paper. We also have offices equipped with motion sensors designed to shut the lights off after a short period of time with no movement.”
—ROBERT FAIGIN, chief legal advisor,
Officeof the Sheriff, Legal Affairs
“We were the only law firm to receive an award from the San Diego Association of Governments in 2008, and we are invery good company. These awards recognize organizations for their contributions to reducing traffic congestion and improving mobility in the region. Pillsbury’s San Diego offices encourage employees to utilize public transportation and carpool, as well as offer flexible schedules and the ability to telecommute, wherever reasonable. The firm subsidizes the use of public transit by reimbursing employees for the full price of a Coaster, bus or trolley pass each month.”
—TANIA SHAH, director of corporate social responsibility,
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
“While Sheppard Mullin has had an informal recycling program for some time, this year the firm is enacting a comprehensive Sustainability Program in order to participate in the ABA-EPA Law Office Eco-Challenge, a pilot project that encourages use of renewable energy and more efficient use of resources.”
—CRYSTINA COATS, associate,
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton
“Under the leadership of Attorney General Jerry Brown, the state Attorney General’s office kicked off an aggressive statewide green program in January of this year. The office is taking a leading role in litigating cases to reduce global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, and it is putting its words into action by reducing the environmental impact of its own operations. In short order, the office converted to 100 percent recycle dpaper, stepped up recycling efforts, promoted duplex printing to reduce paper usage, participated in computer-return and other environmental projects and established contacts with community environmental agencies, like the UCSD Environmentand Sustainability Initiative. The office has even sold eco-friendly shopping bags to staff!”
—TED DRCAR, deputy attorney general,
Office of the Attorney General
“Our firm has recycling containers in all rooms and offices to recycle paper, cans, glass and plastic. The firm also participated in a beach cleanup day in the fall.”
—LISA FREUND, associate,
Farmer Case & Fedor
“The Office of County Counsel strives to employ green policies. In addition to recycling paper, toner, cans, etc., we also purchase recycled and eco-friendly office supplies and food service items. Further, we employ technology whenever possible to lessen the need for paper documentation, have made ‘Having a Greener Workplace’ the topic of our County Counsel Managers Conference this year and are currently exploring other green avenues, such as hy-brid cars.”
—ANGIE DEVOSS, administrative analyst III,
Office of County Counsel
“At Heller Ehrman in San Diego, besides the usual ‘green’ practices of recycling or carpooling when possible, the air conditioning is shut down on the weekends, and anyone who needs to work in the office on the weekend specifically requests air conditioning on his or her area of the floor, thus conserving energy. We also use motion sensors for our office lights.”
—TAMMY BOGGS, associate,
Heller Ehrman
“Our office is in the process of obtaining its ‘green certification,’ the guidelines of which include replacing cleaning supplies with less toxic alternatives and purchasing hospitality supplies in bulk as opposed to single-serving sizes to reduce packaging waste. Also, on an unrelated but interesting note, the hardwood floor in our lobby is made of recycled railroad ties.”
—SHANNON ERICKSON, associate,
Best Best & Krieger
Care to share some of your eco-friendly practices with the San Diego legal community? Contact us at erind@lassd.org. If you are interested in participating in the ABA-EPA program to which both Procopio and Sheppard Mullin have committed, visit www.abanet.org/environ/ecochallenge/overview.shtml.
Erin Drenning is a Pro Bono Program staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of San Diego,Inc. and can be reached at erind@lassd.org.