The Oregon State Bar Sustainable Future Section has recognized Tonkon Torp as a “Partner in Sustainability.” The Section created the “Partners in Sustainability Program” in 2012 in order to encourage law firms of all sizes to adopt sustainable office practices and to honor those firms that satisfy the Section’s criteria for sustainable office practices.
“The Oregon State Bar has embraced sustainability and law firms in Oregon are following suit,” says Section Executive Committee member Michelle Slater. “It is encouraging that the legal profession is making changes to promote more office practices that conserve resources and show an awareness of the impact of the legal profession on the environment. Partners demonstrate a commitment to sustainability by incorporating sustainability into their office culture and practices.”
The program’s criteria for designation as a “Partner in Sustainability” require that the law firm adopt an office sustainability policy, implement an internal education program and meet criteria related to paper management, energy and water reduction, waste and toxics reduction, transportation energy reduction and sustainable purchasing. Tonkon Torp was an early adopter of many sustainability practices, beginning 15 years ago, and has been recognized by Oregon Business Magazine and the Oregon State Bar for leadership in sustainability.
“Tonkon Torp has implemented many sustainability practices within our firm over the last decade and a half. And we have reached out to the legal and broader business communities in Portland to encourage and share our experiences in adopting green office practices,” says attorney Kimberlee Stafford, who chairs the firm’s internal Sustainability Committee. “Despite all of the practices we’ve adopted, we remain focused on continuous incremental movement in our sustainable business practices.”
