Tonkon Torp was honored with the Oregon State Bar (OSB) Sustainability Leadership Award, presented by the Sustainable Futures Section (SFS) as part of the OSB Annual Awards, at a December 14 SFS lunch program. 
Tonkon Torp environmental and real estate partner Kimberlee Stafford, chair of the firm’s internal Sustainability Committee, was on hand to accept the award (pictured on right with OSB Sustainable Future Section Chair Ann McQuesten). Each year, the SFS recognizes one of Oregon’s law firms for demonstrated leadership in moving the legal profession and law office practices along the path of sustainability. The 2016 award recognizes Tonkon Torp’s leadership and ongoing efforts towards increasing employee awareness of and participation in sustainable transportation.
Over the course of seventeen years, Tonkon Torp has implemented a broad range of policies and incentives to reduce the firm’s carbon footprint by reducing single occupancy vehicle use, and encouraging the use of mass transit, bicycling, carpooling, and car sharing. Examples of the initiatives are:
- Subsidizing monthly Trimet passes, and reimbursing expenses (up to the amount of the Trimet subsidy) for C-Tran and van pools
- Providing bike parking within the firm offices
- Sponsoring and participating in the Street Trust’s month-long Bike More Challenge
- Hosting workshops on bike commuting and basic bike repair as part of the Bike More Challenge
- Providing and encouraging the use of video conferencing to reduce travel
- Reimbursing emergency taxi rides home
- Using bike-based messenger and catering services
Tonkon Torp’s internal Sustainability Committee, formed in 1999, continuously moves the firm toward comprehensive sustainable business practices. A formally adopted Sustainability Policy includes commitments to ongoing education of attorneys and staff, as well as explicit policies regarding purchasing, energy use and carbon reduction, business travel and commuting, waste reduction, and use of green building materials in office space improvements. Tonkon Torp has also led efforts to increase awareness of and participation in sustainability initiatives in the broader legal and business communities of Oregon.
