Bodman Becomes ABA-EPA Climate Challenge Partner

6/2/2009

The American Bar Association has recognized Bodman LLP as a “Law Office Climate Challenge Partner” for adopting best practices for office paper management.

The Law Office Climate Challenge, a joint program of the American Bar Association (ABA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is designed to encourage law offices to take specific steps to conserve energy and resources and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

In order to qualify for the Partner designation, Bodman has implemented the following procedures which exceed the program’s standards for paper management:

• All copier and printer paper purchases include at least 30% post-consumer content.
• Mixed office paper recycling programs have been implemented, or are in the process of being implemented, in all offices.
• All high speed printers have been set to print by default to two-sided output.

Implementation of these practices is also an integral part of Bodman’s comprehensive sustainability plan, which incorporates goals and action items relating to environmental responsibility, social responsibility, and the economic success of the firm, often referred to as the “triple bottom line.”

“Managing paper in an environmentally-conscious way is an important part of our plan, but it is just the beginning,” said Larry Shulman, chairman of Bodman’s executive management committee. “We are committed to incorporating sustainable business practices into our operations because it’s the right thing to do as a member of the business community and because it is a logical and profitable way to do business.”

In addition to its office paper management practices, Bodman has implemented several “green” activities as part of its sustainability plan, including:

• Elimination of bottled water and Styrofoam cups.
• Recycling of glass, batteries, plastics, aluminum, light bulbs, and other materials.
• Use of energy efficient lighting and motion-sensors that turn lights off when not in use in the Detroit and Ann Arbor offices.

Bodman is one of Michigan’s leading business law firms with more than 140 lawyers and four offices. Bodman has a diverse client base that includes individuals and businesses in a variety of industries, with emphasis on financial services, automotive, real estate and construction, high tech, manufacturing, health care, and other sectors. The prestigious journal Chambers USA ranks Bodman as Michigan’s leading banking and financial services law firm.

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