32,000+
Hours of free legal services donated to sustainability-focused clients since fall 2018
Environmental Sustainability
From our dedication to sustainable operations to helping our clients and communities navigate complex environmental challenges, environmental sustainability plays an important role in what it means to be an exemplary global citizen.
Our firm seeks to operate in an environmentally conscious manner and decrease our global footprint. We commit to reduce our absolute Scopes 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 against a 2019 baseline, and our absolute Scope 3 emissions by 30% within the same timeframe, as validated by the Science Based Target initiative. We have also begun transitioning to renewable energy sources to power our offices.
To date, 11 offices are powered by 100% renewable energy. We are committed to full renewable energy procurement across all Latham offices by 2030, and we have implemented data management tools to collect, audit, and operationalize key sustainable performance metrics, including a sustainability analytics platform, a supplier assessment tool, and an energy management platform.
Our environmental sustainability efforts complement the work of our pro bono program to promote social justice and to strengthen the rule of law, as well as that of our commitment and efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion at our firm and in the legal industry.
Program Highlights
Reducing Our Emissions
We commit to reduce our absolute Scopes 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 against a 2019 baseline, and our absolute Scope 3 emissions by 30% within the same timeframe, as validated by the Science Based Target initiative, a partnership among CDP, the leading framework for disclosing environmental impacts; the World Resources Institute; the World Wide Fund for Nature; and the United Nations Global Compact.
Renewable Energy
Currently 11 Latham offices are powered completely with renewable energy. Our goal is to procure renewable energy for all of our offices by 2030.
Technology
We are working to achieve 100% renewable energy for our data centers, and have begun a monitor-replacement program that will reduce energy consumption by 55% per workstation.
Vendor Code of Conduct
We expect the companies and individuals supplying goods or services to the firm to follow the same sustainability and ethics standards we’re committed to, so we developed a Vendor Code of Conduct to help ensure consistent, collective adherence to these standards.
Pro Bono
We provide free legal services to an array of individuals and organizations around the world acting to protect the environment. Giving back is emblematic of who we are and reflects the values of our firm.
Green Facilities
We include energy efficiency design factors in the evaluation of new office space as well as in office buildouts and retrofits. We have achieved LEED, BREEAM, or a similar green certification in 20 of our offices, and we continue to look for opportunities to pursue green certification where possible.
Who We Partner With
Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy
We are proud to be a founding member of Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy, a first-of-its-kind initiative dedicated to advancing sustainability goals through pro bono efforts.
Legal Sustainability Alliance
As an executive member of the Legal Sustainability Alliance, we collaborate with other law firms committed to the net zero transition.
Trellis Network
In 2022, we joined the Trellis Network, formerly the GreenBiz Executive Network, a peer-to-peer forum comprised of sustainability professionals from global companies and professional services firms.