"We’re proud of this award as a reflection of our commitment to the environment and dedication to sustainable practices in Atlanta,” said Janine Brown, Partner-in-Charge of Alston & Bird’s Atlanta office. “The project team did an incredible job incorporating sustainability into every phase of the design while creating a vibrant, innovative space that offers our clients and lawyers an enriching setting for teamwork and collaboration.”
Alston & Bird’s office is the third-largest LEED Gold-certified law firm space in the world. In 2013, Alston & Bird completed its expansion into 365,000-plus square feet of newly designed and renovated space spanning 16 floors at One Atlantic Center, one of the premiere office buildings in the country and most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly offices in Atlanta. "As a leader in sustainability, our efforts focus not only on promoting initiatives that have a positive impact on the global and local communities in which we live and work, but also delivering to clients innovative legal solutions that have a positive impact on their environmental challenges," said Peter Masaitis, partner and national chair of Alston & Bird’s Sustainability Committee and president of the Law Firm Sustainability Network, a not-for-profit group dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability across the legal sector. "Sustainability is a hallmark of our firm – whether it applies to our own environmental stewardship or assisting clients with theirs.”
LEED Gold certification of Alston & Bird’s Atlanta office was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the facility itself and the broader community. These include: enhanced HVAC controllability to reduce energy consumption and increase personal comfort; occupancy sensors for lighting efficiency and the low-mercury nature of the systems; furniture that meets USGBC's standards for sustainable content; recycled content throughout the construction of the space; and the use of low VOC materials such as paints, coatings, furniture and seating, among many other features.
"Alston & Bird’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair of USGBC. "The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Alston & Bird serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish."
Alston & Bird is at the forefront of law firm environmental sustainability. In addition to earning the LEED Gold certification for its Atlanta office, the firm is a founding member of the Law Firm Sustainability Network. It is also a member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership, which encourages organizations to use green power.
