Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP Earns B Corporation Certification
Pioneering Certified Green Law Firm Sets Highest Standards of Environmental and Social Responsibility.
- Oakland, CA (1888PressRelease) July 30, 2010 - Oakland law firm Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP recently earned B Corporation Certification from B Lab, the nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a new sector of the economy that harnesses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Wendel Rosen is one of only a few law firms in the nation to receive the B Corporation designation.
Certified B CorporationsTM 1) meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance; 2) legally expand their corporate responsibilities to include consideration of stakeholder interests; and 3) build collective voice through the power of the unifying B Corporation brand. Currently, there are more than 300 certified B Corporations from more than 54 industries, representing a diverse multi-billion dollar marketplace. Wendel Rosen's B Corporation profile can be found at http://www.bcorporation.net/wendelrosen
B Corporations strive to create economic opportunity, build strong communities and preserve a healthy environment. To become certified B Corporations, businesses must meet comprehensive social and environmental performance standards, which is measured via a survey called the B Impact Rating System. The survey, designed to distinguish "good companies" from just good marketing, rates companies on products, practices and profits. In addition, B Corporations must expand corporate responsibility to include the interests of all stakeholders - employees, the community, the environment - rather than shareholders alone. An independent Standards Advisory Council oversees the certification ratings and audit requirements. Wendel Rosen was evaluated based on an assessment questionnaire, supporting documentation and an individual review.
"Being a B Corporation is directly in line with how we go about 'business as usual' here at Wendel Rosen," said Michael Dean, partner at Wendel Rosen. "We've always been a firm that considers its place in the community a serious responsibility. Earning our B Corp certification is a natural part of the firm's evolution. We are proud to be a part of a dynamic network of businesses that share the common goal of furthering social and environmental responsibility in the business community."
Wendel Rosen is the pioneering law firm when it comes to adopting and promoting sustainable business practices in the profession. In 2003, it became the first certified green law firm in the country (certification conducted by the Bay Area Green Business Program) and launched its Green Business Practice Group. The firm is also affiliated with other organizations that promote environmental awareness and change, such as 1% For the Planet, Build It Green, and the U.S. Green Building Council. In addition, the firm supports numerous organizations that are committed to building strong local communities and nurturing businesses emerging in disadvantaged neighborhoods, such as Rebuilding Together Oakland, East Bay Economic Development Alliance and Inner City Advisors. Many of the firm's executives and attorneys speak to business audiences regarding pursuit of a sustainable business operation.
"Wendel Rosen leads by example when it comes to corporate social responsibility, and we commend the firm for taking such a rigorous position on sustainability - and educating the business and legal community to follow its lead," said Bart Houlahan, B Lab co-founder. "A clear B Corporation, the firm has routinely demonstrated a higher standard of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability."
About Wendel Rosen
Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP serves a diverse clientele of business, public and individual clients located throughout California and the United States. With offices in Oakland and Modesto, California, the 100-year-old firm advises clients on transactional and civil litigation matters in several related fields of law, including real estate; business/corporate; construction; creditors' rights/bankruptcy; eminent domain; employment; environmental; estate planning, trusts and probate; green business; insurance; intellectual property; land use; taxation; and technology. Additional information about the firm and its attorneys may be found at www.wendel.com.
About B Lab
B Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Lab's primary initiatives are: 1) building a community of Certified B Corporations to make it easier for all of us to tell the difference between "good companies" and just good marketing; 2) increasing adoption of the GIIRS impact rating system to drive institutional investment to high impact global private equity investments; and 3) advancing supportive public policies, including creation of a new corporate form -- like the recently introduced Benefit Corp legislation in Vermont -- and incentives for sustainable business -- like the recently passed B Corp tax break in Philadelphia.
Contact:
Lydia Bednerik
Marketing Director
Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP
510.834.6600
lbednerik ( @ ) wendel dot com
Heather Van Dusen
B Lab
610.296.8283
heather ( @ ) bcorporation dot net
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