The views expressed herein have not been approved by the House of Delegates of the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association and, accordingly, should not be construed as representing the policy of the American Bar Association.

This Model Sustainability Policy and Implementation Guideline show how sustainable development relates to lawyers and their individual firms, corporate law departments, and other law organizations (“firms”). The tool is designed to allow such entities to show in a meaningful way what they are doing to be good organizational citizens. The adoption and implementation of the policy should not only strengthen a firm’s reputation or “brand,” but its efficiency, productivity and employee recruitment and retention. It will more closely align the firm with the growing legions of current and/or potential clients who are now embracing sustainability. Such alignment should enable the firm to better understand and reflect the values of such clients and provide more effective counsel. Moreover, the tool should help improve the firm’s appreciation for the critical social, environmental and economic issues that lie ahead for society as a whole, and ultimately, for its clients and itself. Finally, the adoption and implementation of the policy by many ABA members should show others that the association, which has long supported sustainability, is willing to “walk the talk” and enhance the reputation of the U.S. legal profession as responsible, caring contributors to the public good.

The Climate Change, Sustainable Development, and Ecosystems Committee is looking for your feedback on this Model Sustainability Policy and Implementation Guideline as they work towards finalizing the document for Section approval.

Why Sustainable Policy for Law Organizations?

Checklist

References

How Levenfeld Pearlstein LLC is Adapting and Implementing The ABA Model Policy on Sustainability
James D. Brusslan

Sustainability Accomplishments
Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt

December 20 2008, Rev. 9: Final
ABA Model Sustainability Policy and Implementation Guidelines for Law Organizations

Comments Please!

FAX OR EMAIL COMMENTS TO:

ABA Climate Change, Sustainable Development & Ecosystems Committee
Working Group on the ABA Model Sustainability Policy for Law Organizations

c/o William R. Blackburn, fax: 1.847.541.4577 or email using the form below: