Green Initiative Committee

The Green Initiative Committee (GIC) promotes efficient energy use and other environmentally responsible practices in the legal profession.

The committee's work positively impacts the environment, helps law offices reduce costs, adds value to client service, and has positioned the CMBA as a "green leader" among bar associations. We also invite you to check out the recent articles published in the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal are available in the "articles and more" tab as well.

Since it began in 2008, the GIC has worked on a comprehensive CMBA Green Initiative, the center stone of which is a Green Certification Program. The Green Certification program now includes two certification levels. Applying for the
two-year certification recognition is simple. See the "certification" tab for more information. The GIC also developed a
Carbon Footprint Calculator for Legal Services Organizations. Download your free copy today!

For more information on the Green Initiative, please contact Krista Munger at (216) 696-3525 ext. 2224.

The committee meets as needed.

Greener Way to Work Day Luncheon: Thursday, September 28 at 11:45 a.m.

Keynote Speaker: John Walke of NRDC


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Get Green Certified  Green Sustainability Award 

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Green Sustainability Award

Nominations are now open for our second Green Sustainability Award. The GIC will bestow this honor each year at its David Webster Greener Way to Work luncheon, this year held on Thursday, September 28.

The award recognizes an individual who:

  1. demonstrates leadership by promoting efficient energy use and other environmentally responsible practices;
  2. used a unique approach to green practices; and
  3. implemented a green technique that is adaptable or adoptable by others.

Recipient need not be a lawyer, but should be a CMBA member or an employee of a CMBA Green Certified firm/office. There may be more than one recipient if candidates are deemed worthy of the honor. 

A donation will made to the Cleveland Metropark's Legacy Fund in honor of the recipient. The gift will help to support tree and wildlife plantings throughout the Metroparks.

Award History:

From 2010-2013 the Green Initiative Committee presented the CMBA Green Innovation Award, which recognized a firm/office that had taken action toward sustainability that goes beyond the requirements for CMBA Green Certification. In 2015, the GIC announced changes to the award and it will recognize its first Green Sustainability Award at the 2016 Greener Way to Work Luncheon.Changes to the award include:

  • Changing the name to the Green Sustainability Award 
  • Award will honor an individual, not a firm
  • Recipient can be a lawyer or non-lawyer
  • There may be more than one recipient if candidates are deemed worthy of the honor
  • Recipient(s) will be a CMBA member or an employee of a CMBA Green Certified firm/office​

Past Sustainability Award recipients:

Past Green Innovation Award recipients:

  • 2013 - Squire Sanders (US) LLP (view entry)
  • 2012 - Squire Sanders (US) LLP (view entry)
  • 2011 - Roetzel & Andress, LPA
  • 2010 - Tucker Ellis LLP

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Leadership

Tod Northman
Chair
Tucker Ellis LLP		  

Bill Thrush
Vice Chair
Thompson Hine LLP

 

Committee Members:
Antoinette T. Bacon, United States Attorney's Office
David Brown, Rolf Goffman Martin Lang LLP
Michelle Cook, Cady Reporting Services, Inc.
Sara Ravas Cooper, Walter | Haverfield LLP
Katy M. Franz, Eaton Corporation
Chris Hanwell, Cady Reporting Services, Inc.
Judith Walker Miles, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office
Florence J. Murray, Murray & Murray Co., LPA
Heidi Gorovitz Robertson, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Jeffery A. Schiffman, Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Kara Soppelsa, Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA
Carter E. Strang, Tucker Ellis LLP
Dawn M. Tarka, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority