In the face of global climate change, and economic downturn, every small reduction in energy use is a definite plus for a law office. There are many ways we attorneys can reduce our fossil fuel consumption, our "carbon footprint," without having to change the mission or productivity of our legal practice. Our current State Bar President, Jeff Bleich, has stated in his recent President’s Column, "As a profession, lawyers aren’t the worst carbon offenders, but clearly we can do a lot better." Doing the right thing environmentally may not just boost firm morale, but may also reduce overhead.  By devoting a little time and action to countering global warming, we can help pass on a healthy planet to our children and grandchildren.

Recycle.

We can be proud of our state court system as an early adopter of recycling paper. On November 30, 1993, the Judicial Council of California adopted new and amended California Rules of Court pertaining to recycled paper, which provided that recycled paper must be used for all original documents filed with California courts, effective January 1, 1995. Compliance with the recycled paper rules is self-enforced. Rule 201(d) specifies that by the act of filing a document with the courts or serving another party with a copy of that document, an attorney, party, or other person certifies that the document is prepared on recycled paper.

Extending this principle to using double sided copies and using other paper products is even more environmentally responsible. It is possible to obtain all office paper products with at least 30% post-consumer recycled content, including printing paper, letterhead, business cards, envelopes, and post-it notes. Recycled paper towels and toilet paper are also available.

Recycling anything else we use, including electronic equipment, cans, glass, and plastics, toner and inkjet and laser cartridges, is also significant. Having small recycling bins at each work station has worked well with court and general county staff.

Reduce.

If it is possible to locate your office close to the courthouse so that people walk to court, that will help reduce car trips and carbon emissions on a daily basis. If relocation is not possible, you may want to consider carpooling or even buying an electric car or Hybrid (with your firm’s name on it!) to ferry back and forth between the office and court. Consider incentives to get employees to carpool or take mass transit or bicycle to work. Having a home office is another way to reduce significantly the amount of fossil fuel required to maintain your practice.

Reduce the amount of energy used. Reducing the temperature by 2 degrees in the winter and, if you have an air conditioner, raising it by 2 degrees in the summer will significantly reduce your energy consumption. Purchasing appliances or machines with an Energy Star rating will save energy and money over time. Converting at least 50% of all light fixtures to energy efficient alternatives (e.g. CFLs) also helps. Setting timers to turn off lights when people are out of the office or having motion sensitive lighting and/or making it a firm policy to turn off your computers at the end of the day can save a lot.

Reduce the amount of paper used. Consider getting a fax machine that receives and circulates faxes without using paper; scanning documents rather than photocopying them, using on line versions of codes, texts and treatises.

Reuse.

Everything that is reused does not have to be manufactured and repurchased. Not only does reuse save energy, but it also is saves overhead.  Reusing binders, file folders, paper clips, and other supplies can save a lot. Avoiding water in individual bottles, and instead having reusable cups and a water cooler also avoids waste. Using washable dishes and coffee cups, rather than disposable is another good practice.

Renew.

Renewing priorities and habitual patterns to follow green practices can be a bit bumpy at first, but soon becomes simply "the way this firm does things." If you have an especially interested attorney or staff member, consider asking that person to contact PG&E for an energy audit and/or keep track of the firm’s energy and water use as reflected in utility bills. Several well known law firms in the Bay Area, such as Wendel, Rosen, Black and Dean in Oakland and Morrison & Foerster and Nixon Peabody L.L.P in San Franciso, have made sustainability a firm policy, with great success.

There are many helpful resources available to assist with the process of renewing your practice to make it more sustainable.  The ABA’s website has a program called the Office Climate Challenge which lays out exactly what every law office can do to qualify as a "Climate Challenge Partner" or a "Climate Challenge Leader."  Another great resource is the Oregon Lawyers for a Sustainable Future website, which has a handy model law office sustainability policy with easy to follow instructions on how to reduce energy waste in your office. If you have the opportunity to renovate or build a new office, consider using green materials and adhering to LEEDs standards. Another local organization, SLO Green Build, can give lots of good advice in that regard.

Rarely, law practices go so far as to refuse to represent clients who promote sprawl or produce pollution, although that has been known to happen. More commonly, firms are motivated by the economy or global warming to make their practices less wasteful and more sustainable. Regardless, making a law practice more environmentally friendly can be very satisfying in itself. After all, as attorneys, using our minds, hearts and energy to tackle humanity’s most intractable problems is what we do best.

Written by Jan Howell Marx

Jan is a solo real estate, land use and estate planning attorney who has served on the Board of the San Luis Obispo Bar Association, the City Council of San Luis Obispo and is a past president of Women Lawyers Association. She has been an open space advocate for over 40 years. She currently chairs the SLO Rotary’s Clean and Green Project for 2007-2008, funding the “Missing Link” in the Railroad Safety Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail from Cal Poly to downtown San Luis Obispo. Yes, she has a home office and drives a Prius.

This article also appeared in the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association's Bar Bulletin.