PORTLAND - Stoel Rives LLP is pleased to announce its Portland office has been honored with the 2012 Sustainable Law Office Leadership Award by the Oregon State Bar's Sustainable Future Section. The award was presented to the firm by U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer at a ceremony at Stoel Rives' Portland offices on November 26, 2012.

The firm was honored for leadership in sustainable office practices. "Sustainable practices and policies have been a cornerstone of the Stoel Rives culture for decades," said Bob Van Brocklin, Firm Managing Partner. "We appreciate this recognition and will continue to promote good stewardship of the resources we rely on tpo serve our clients. We are proud of our programs to encourage the use of mass transit and other alternative forms of transportation."

Stoel Rives' many sustainable efforts include a comprehensive waste collection and recycling program, including separate compost, recycling and landfill bins in every kitchen. The firm also provides several alternative transportation options, including bike racks and showers in the building; cash incentives for anyone who runs, walks, or bikes to work; access to loaner bikes and shared cars for running errands; and free TriMet transit passes.

The firm's computers default to energy-saving mode, lighting is operated by motion sensors and the firm purchases ENERGY STAR appliances and compact flurescent lights. Stoel Rives also purchases renewable energy credits for an equivalent of 100% of the office electricity used in all of the firm's locations, and has a carbon offset program for its attorney recruiting program and other specified firm travel.

The firm's sustainability efforts are led by a "Green Team" committee, which plans and carries out educational and hands-on events throughout the firm's 11 offices in seven states. The Green Team includes attorneys and staff members from multiple offices, with a partner as leader (currently Tim McMahan).

The team let seven-state participation in 2012 Earth Day community activities and also organized its first firm-wide Electronics Recycling Day in 2012, arranging for the office collection of office and home electronics to be recycled or reused, along with batteries, Styrofoam and other hard-to-recycle items.