BY JODI SOKOLOWSKI
Buffalo Law Journal

"It ain't easy being green," Kermit the Frog tells us. But area law firms and the document-management companies that serve them say going green is a worthwhile business practice that helps them attract and retain clients.

"It flows both ways in business relationships," said Raymond Stapell, managing partner of Harris Beach PLLC's Buffalo office. "While it does have an impact on the bottom line, it meets the true social need and feels good to do the right thing."

Nixon Peabody's chief sustainability officer, Carolyn Kaplan, said going green comes with a "triple bottom line" - it has economic, social and environmental benefits.

The challenge is on

One reason more law firms may be embracing green practices may be the ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge, an initiative designed by the American Bar Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The voluntary initiative, according to the ABA's Web site, encourages "law firms to take simple, practical steps to become better environmental and energy stewards" by conducting "better office paper management, the use of renewable energy and better energy management."

Harris Beach has been named an ABA Law Office Climate Challenge Partner for its green efforts. Additionally, the firm's internal Practice Green initiative is encouraging staff to reduce paper use through double-sided copying and using copy paper that contains at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled content - when printing is necessary.

Nixon Peabody also promotes green-friendly practices in-house, posting signs around the office asking employees to recycle and to turn off computers and lights when not using them and outlining the benefits of doing so.

"They're not-so-subtle reminders about what it takes" to reduce negative environmental impacts, Kaplan said.

Digital "e-filing" of court documents generally reduces paper use, but each staff member who receives a confirmation notice when a file is updated may be tempted to print it out, she said.

Both firms plant recycling bins throughout the office and recycle as much as they can, from plastic and aluminum to copier toner cartridges. Stapell said Harris Beach is also encouraging its cafeterias to use biodegradable materials, such as plates made from corn.

Green space

Damon & Morey is giving more weight to LEED-certified buildings (the acronym stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) in its search for new space, said chief operating officer Anthony Fedele.

Nixon Peabody started its Legally Green program in November, which helps clients reach their business goals through environmental responsibility. Examples include constructing a green building or financing a project with renewable-energy tax credits.

"We practice what we preach," Kaplan said. "It's useful in winning engagements for new work and (retaining) existing clients."

Old habits die hard

However, it's still a challenge to break employees' old habits.

"Old habits die hard," said Harris Beach's Stapell. "I think all institutions go through that process of change."

It's often the attorneys who are the hardest to break, and support staff seem to be leading the charge, Stapell said. The firm's New York City office has been embracing the "paperless" mentality most, perhaps due to its loss of paper when the World Trade Center's second tower, where the firm formerly had office space, collapsed during September 11.

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Since law firms are requesting environmentally friendly paper products, document-supply and -management companies are wising up to client requests.

Exacta Legal Document Solutions is now using only Domtar EarthChoice Office Paper. The paper is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, endorsed by the Rainforest Alliance, and manufactured under acid-free conditions. DocuLegal LLC encourages clients to duplicate their documents as images, which are then electronically saved, compared to copying thousands of pages.

"There are a lot of different shades of green (products) that a company can go with," said All State Legal spokesperson Prudence Helders. "If they want to attract more green-conscious associates and clients, they should start using these green products."