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BigLaw Commits to the Environment, Goes Green

By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq. on December 01, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

BigLaw is going green. At least according to the Washington Post.

A number of D.C.'s largest law firms are moving into LEED-certified buildings, hoping to demonstrate a "commitment to the environment." And to save a little bit of money, of course.

Hopefully those savings will amp up their commitment to jobs.

For the uninitiated, LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It's a green building certification system that rates overall construction, interior design and maintenance.

Firms like Squire Sanders & Dempsey, Arent Fox, Vinson & Elkins and Hunton & Williams are going LEED, reports the Post. And in doing so, they're ditching the oak furniture in exchange for bamboo cabinets and recycled flooring.

They're also cutting back on square footage, dashing your dreams of a large corner office.

To be honest, law firms have been going green for quite some time. One particular San Francisco firm has even been known to forego most of its hallway lighting well into the night. And to the dismay of newly minted lawyers, firms began limiting printing privileges long ago.

Yeah, not being allowed to print out 20 Westlaw or Lexis cases every day is kind of annoying.

Though the green trend is spreading, the LEED trend is mostly limited to D.C., Boston, New York, San Francisco and Chicago, according to the paper. It is these cities that are spearheading the movement.

If you happen to work at green firm in one of these cities, what do you miss the most? What green measure do you wish your firm would ditch? Let us know over on the FindLaw for Legal Professionals Facebook page.

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