Model Sustainability Policy  |  Sustainable Practices

Tenant Improvements  |  Building Manager Practices
Lunch Vendor Guidelines  |  Green Event Guidelines

 
The Office Practices Task Force has developed a model sustainability policy and three detailed checklists.  Additionally, annotated versions of selected checklists and supplemental materials are available for education of law office personnel.

Model Law Office Sustainability Policy.  A key element in any law office initiative is a sustainability policy adopted by the management team.  The policy states the intent of the office to operate in a sustainable manner and delineates specific steps to be taken to accomplish that goal.  OLSF has prepared a model sustainability policy for law firms.

Sustainable Practices in the Law Office.  The day-to-day operations of a law office have an impact on the natural world.  This checklist assists the law in assessing its current practices and in considering new practices that might be adopted.  OLSF has prepared (1) an operations checklist and (2) an annotated list.

Lunch Vendor Guidelines.  Lunch meetings often have an impact on the natural world due to excess packaging and the types of food served.  OLSF has prepared guidelines to assist law firms in developing a list of preferred, sustainable lunch vendors.    

Planning Green Events, Offsite Meetings, & Retreats.  Many law firms hold meetings outside of the office.  The practices of the offsite facility managers can have a major impact on the natural world.  OLSF has prepared guidelines for planning green events, offsite meetings, and retreats

Guidelines for Tenant Improvements.  Tenant improvements and other interior modification of space are a continual issue for many law offices.  The manufacture and supply of building products and the disposition of construction debris have a major impact on the natural world.  OLSF has prepared (1) a tenant improvements checklist for use in preparing specifications for tenant improvements and (2) an annotated list for use by law office personnel. 

Sustainable Practices for the Building Manager.  Most law offices occupy rented space or space maintained by a facilities manager such as lighting, heating/cooling systems, and janitorial supplies.  Practices of the building manager have a major impact on the natural world.  OLSF has prepared (1) a checklist for the building manager, (2) an annotated checklist for use by law office personnel, and (3) a model memorandum from the law office to the building manager.  These checklists can also be used in the firm that owns space.

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Portland On-Site Briefings

On-site briefings are available in Portland to organize or strengthen a law office sustainability team using these tools.  Two members of the OLSF Office Practices Task Force, a lawyer and a firm administrator, will meet with the interested group (lawyers/staff) within the law office, describe the six tools, and review case studies of local firms. 

E-mail lawyers@earthleaders.org or call 503-227-2315 for more information on scheduling a briefing or the above tools.