The attorneys and staff at Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel, LLP are committed to making the future of our clients, colleagues, and families the cause of the present. In doing so, the firm has taken on several projects in recent years to further its efforts to minimize environmental impact.
In 2017 the firm moved into a smaller office space and set up a telecommuting plan that allows for attorney work flexibility, efficiency in the office, and maximum value for clients. The new office space offers natural lighting and lights that are programmed with auto shut-offs when no movement is detected in the area.
The firm also successfully implemented an office sharing schedule for the attorneys. Shared offices are equipped with one phone with extensions for both attorneys that share the office. Universal docking stations are used to allow for flexibility when attorneys need to switch offices. Since the office is also paperless, there is less need for office supplies and a higher need for efficient technology. For example, the firm utilizes electronic signatures so there is no need for pages to be signed and scanned.
While attorneys are always available for face-to-face meeting with clients, the firm has been a long-term user of videoconferencing technologies for client meetings that may not need in person interaction, thus saving on time and travel.
Electronics, such as monitors and broken keyboards, are recycled along with items such as batteries. Employees are also supplied with BPA-free reusable water cups and an office water filtration system.
The firm significantly stepped up its recycling program in 2020 with the implementation of recycling services provided by TerraCycle. TerraCycle is an innovative recycling company that has become a global leader in recycling hard-to-recycle materials. The firm set up specialized recycling bins provided by TerraCycle in their Philadelphia kitchen. Not only does the firm provide recycling for commonly used office materials but also collects items used at home.