We take sustainability very seriously at Fenwick. Like many of our clients, we are adopting policies that reduce consumption and waste, and improve efficiency. By using technologies developed by a number of our cleantech clients, we are at the forefront of implementing sustainable policies and practices that minimize environmental impact. In fact, Fenwick has earned recognition in several areas as one of the top US law firms for implementing sustainable business practices.
In 2007 the firm established a Green Team (a combination of partners, associates, executive management and staff) to develop meaningful sustainability programs. Today, the firm has an official Green Policy that includes waste management, energy conservation and procurement initiatives that have resulted in the following:
- We are the first law firm in the United States to be awarded LEED certification for two offices, including the first law firm to secure a LEED-CI Platinum Designation.
- We have the first law firm LEED Platinum-certified server room, which uses a combination of water and outside air cooling to reduce electrical consumption by 70%.
- Our Mountain View headquarters achieved an Energy Star rating of 96, which is 42% above the national average.
- We were the first law firm certified by Santa Clara County as an environmentally sustainable "Green Business."
Our Efforts to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
One of our primary goals is to continually reduce consumption and waste and to promote recycling within our offices. We utilize energy-sensitive design and planning to maximize use of natural light. We also use energy-efficient lighting, sustainable ceiling and carpet products, low-flow faucets and toilets, low-water landscaping and motion sensors to further reduce water and energy use.
Other initiatives that have contributed to significant reductions in energy consumption include:
- Significantly reducing electricity consumption by moving to virtualized onsite server infrastructure
- Switching to 100% renewable power solution at our offsite data center
- Purchasing energy efficient appliances, computers, printers and copiers
- Replacing all light fixtures with T-8 bulbs and installing motion sensors to further reduce energy use
- Using extremely low voltage LED lighting in all new construction and remodeling projects
- Our award-winning eDiscovery and due diligence document automation system significantly reduces the amount of paper required for litigation and corporate transactions
- Implementing double-sided printing and copying as defaults
- Instituting paperless policies in various practice groups and departments
- Replacing bottled water with pitchers of water for all internal and client meetings, and banning plastic straws
- Using compostable plates and utensils in all offices
- Recycling a broad variety of office items and construction waste (72% of trash diverted from the waste stream)
Promoting Public and Alternative Transportation
Ten years ago, we selected downtown Mountain View as the new location of our firm headquarters, based primarily on its central location to our employee population and its accessibility to public transportation. Other initiatives promoting public and alternative transportation include:
- Premier parking spaces in our garage are reserved for hybrid and carpool vehicles, all located in prime, highly-visible spots to help spread the conservation message
- The first U.S. law firm to install networked charging stations for electric vehicles
- Full reimbursement to staff who commute by public transportation to our Mountain View office
- "Gamification" of our alternative transportation efforts—a monthly challenge awarding those who participate
- Secure bike parking and onsite showers to encourage biking to work. The success of the program caused us to double the capacity of our bike storage
- We are a sponsor of Bike to Work Day with 511.org, staff a Bike to Work station, and actively promote Bike to Work Day within the firm
- We provide pro bono support to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
Implementing Sustainable Procurement Practices
We incorporate sustainability requirements into all RFP’s, RFQ’s and purchase agreements, including the use of low-emitting materials – adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, carpet, compost wood and laminate adhesives – with any new construction or internal office build-out.
We also purchase furniture and office supplies with highest possible recycle content or post-consumer materials from local and diverse vendors to reduce shipping impact and enhance our communities.