McGuireWoods walks the talk. All McGuireWoods' sustainability programming is aimed at creating and strengthening our firm as a sustainable business — a business that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.
We advise our clients that sustainability is the intersection of social sustainability and environmental sustainability, and we execute on that belief through a number of programs. All of our offices pursue diversity and inclusion, support numerous community projects and provide a wide range of pro bono support for local, national and international groups providing social and environmental benefits.
Our Sustainable Operations team, created jointly by McGuireWoods LLP and our public affairs subsidiary, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC, has implemented an environmental sustainability program across the firm. Building on decades of recycling, we enthusiastically collaborate with the American Bar Association and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce paper and energy waste, and to identify and implement additional ways to improve our stewardship of the environment and run a more sustainable business.
Through our Green Vendor Policy, we are migrating to “green” suppliers. We continue working with landlords to comply with LEED standards in their buildings. Our offices are located in LEED-certified buildings, as well as in Energy Star buildings. Future expansion will pursue best practices for green standards, including energy efficiency. Individual offices are piloting different strategies — from motion-sensitive lighting to battery recycling — all of which are designed to respect the environment. We continue to expand our programming and have joined the Law Firm Sustainability Network to share ideas on high-performance programs.
We also serve clients through our Sustainability legal practice. For years — long before it was in the spotlight — we’ve been guiding clients on sustainability-related matters. Our sustainability lawyers have advised and represented clients regarding everything from global land use and Smart Growth zoning codes to renewable energy and creative solutions for water use and waste-to-energy systems.