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Environmental Responsibility
Fenwick & West has a long history of reducing consumption where possible, as well as promoting reuse and recycling beyond local, state and federal requirements. We are the first law firm certified by Santa Clara County as an environmentally sustainable "Green Business" for our efforts to conserve natural resources.
Improving Our Sustainable Business Practices
Fenwick & West established a Green Team (a combination of partners, associates, executive management and staff) to provide focus on green initiatives, establish priorities and ensure compliance with external certification programs. The Green Team developed Fenwick’s official Green Policy that includes a waste management policy, purchasing policy and energy conservation initiatives, and implemented a quarterly newsletter to ensure firm-wide visibility for Green initiatives and goals. The Green Team is also the driving force behind the following initiatives:
- LEED Certification: We are in the process of LEED Certification for our Mountain View office, believed to be one of the first large law firms in the U.S. to apply for LEED Certification. As part of this process, 5% of our garage parking spaces will be reserved for hybrid and carpool vehicles, all located in prime, highly-visible spots to help spread the conservation message.
- We selected our new Boise office location for its platinum LEED rating.
- ISO 14001 Certification: We are in the process of ISO 14001 evaluations. ISO 14001 is the international standard for environmental management systems.
- Energy Star Partner: While the firm has participated with many Energy Star initiatives over the years, in July 2007 we officially registered with the Energy Star challenge to record all energy consumption. As an Energy Star partner, we also share all progress and milestone achievements with the EPA. Since registration, we have reduced energy consumption by 10%.
- Sustainable Silicon Valley: A collaboration of businesses, governments, and non-governmental organizations that address environmental and resource pressures in Silicon Valley. As a participant, we provide all records of energy consumption and have pledged to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% by the year 2010.
- CA Title 24 Compliance: Our Mountain View office exceeds California’s Title 24 energy standards by utilizing energy-sensitive design and planning to maximize use of natural light, energy-efficient lighting, sustainable ceiling and carpet products wherever possible, low-flow faucets and toilets, motion sensors to further reduce water and energy use, and low-water landscaping.
- Responsible Procurement: We integrate sustainable criteria (manufacture, use and disposal) into our purchasing policies, including the use of low-emitting materials – adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, carpet, compost wood and laminate adhesives – with any new construction or internal office build-out, equipment purchase or procurement of services and supplies.
Reducing Consumption and Waste
One of our primary goals over the next few years is to continually reduce consumption and improve recycling in all areas. Some of our initiatives include:
- Switching from bottled water to pitchers of water for our internal and client meetings
- Defaulting printers to double-sided mode
- Switching all monitors from CRT to LCD, reducing monitor energy consumption by 75%
- Significantly reducing the amount of paper required for litigation and corporate transactions through the use of our award-winning eDiscovery and due diligence system
- Purchasing supplies from local vendors to reduce shipping impact
- Using biodegradable utensils
- Increasing use of virtual servers, saving up to 20% on server-related energy consumption
- Purchasing energy efficient appliances, computers, servers and printers
- Using Green Seal cleaning products throughout the building
- Mandating use of recycled or post-consumer materials when possible, such as office paper, printer cartridges, and carpet and ceiling tiles for all build-outs and renovations
- Reusing office furniture rather than purchasing new when appropriate
Promoting Public and Alternative Transportation
In 2002, we selected downtown Mountain View as the new location of our firm headquarters based primarily on the accessibility to public transportation, shops, restaurants and businesses.
- The Mountain View location — more centrally located to our employee population — reduced overall commute time contributed by Fenwick employees
- We provide full reimbursement to staff who commute monthly by public transportation to our Mountain View office
- Secure bike parking and onsite showers are provided to encourage biking to work. The program is so successful we are in the process of doubling our bike parking capacity.
- We are a sponsor of Bike to Work Day with 511.org, staff a Bike to Work station, and actively promote Bike to Work Day within the firm
- Fenwick & West provides pro bono support to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
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