CONTACT: Emily Friedrich, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. 414-287-9485
Mark McDermid, DNR, 608-267-3125
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee office of law firm Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. has joined the Green Tier ranks of Wisconsin companies committed to exceed the standards for environmental regulations.
DNR Secretary Matt Frank and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will join local and state officials, employees and business guests for a ceremony at Milwaukee City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010 at 9 a.m. to celebrate the firm’s accomplishments and its commitment to a greener, more sustainable economy.
“As the first law firm to join Green Tier, Godfrey & Kahn is demonstrating how smart and efficient office operations can benefit the bottom line and the environment,” DNR Secretary Matt Frank said. “It also demonstrates how offices in all types of businesses can be environmental stewards.”
“I want to congratulate Godfrey & Kahn on this prestigious recognition,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “Its dedication and commitment to superior environmental performance and sustainability in the workplace is commendable.”
Green Tier is a program aimed toward rewarding environmentally responsible businesses in Wisconsin, and the first program of its type in the nation. Qualified businesses and associations make legal commitments to superior environmental performance through agreements with the DNR.
In exchange, these businesses are given incentives to achieve superior environmental performance. Green Tier makes it easier for good environmental actors to perform even better, allowing the DNR to focus its resources on facilities that are not meeting environmental requirements.
Godfrey & Kahn is the first law firm to receive Green Tier status. They have six offices, with five in the state of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton and Waukesha) and one in Washington, D.C. With more than 180 lawyers, Godfrey & Kahn is one of Wisconsin’s leading business law firms. In September, Godfrey & Kahn was recognized as one of the best law firms in the state by the U.S. News Media Group. Its natural resources and environmental practices were two of several of the firm’s practice areas ranked among the top, statewide according to a listing of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers 2010”.
Godfrey & Kahn joins Yaggy Colby and Perfect Environmental Performance as the only service firms in the Green Tier program. Adding companies that work broadly with other Wisconsin companies expands the range of the program and promotes environmental excellence in areas that the DNR would never reach.
The firm was also recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as an “Eco-Challenge Partner” on Jan. 31, 2008. As of that date, Godfrey & Kahn was one of only 38 firms across the country and the only firm in Wisconsin honored for becoming a more “green” organization. The firm is currently certified in the “Best Paper Practices” category and is working toward other certifications. The ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources (SEER) together with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designed the program to encourage firms to take simple, practical steps to become better environmental and energy stewards.
“We are extremely proud to be the first Wisconsin law firm to join the Green Tier program,” said Rick Bliss, managing partner of Godfrey & Kahn. “We will continue to focus on implementing innovative green energy and sustainable practices throughout the firm, as we believe these actions will make us more efficient for the benefit of our clients and communities.”
The firm qualified for the program in part based on a list of accomplishments ranging from adopting a “Green Office Policy” in November 2007, which involved purchasing only Energy Star technology, setting all displays to go to sleep when inactive, eliminating paper in all internal communication, converting to a paperless filing system, using bike messengers for downtown package deliveries and offering transportation subsidies to employees who use the bus or carpool. Finally, Godfrey & Kahn recently worked with the Natural Resources Foundation to promote reforestation and conservation of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.
Some of the firm’s future activities include replacing existing lights with high efficiency lights, greening its marketing and outreach efforts, injecting energy efficiency and environmental excellence into the planning for its new office building and adding additional incentives to encourage using the bus or carpooling and ways to cut travel. These efforts carry over into client work as well. The firm continuously strives to help clients incorporate sustainable, green efforts into their daily business practices.
For more information on Green Tier or Godfrey & Kahn, visit either http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cea/environmental/participants/godfrey/index.htm or http://www.gklaw.com/ .
