Silent rage trailer Ater Wynne has sought to create a

Silent rage trailer Ater Wynne has sought to create a low-carbon energy system in a fossil fuel world by purchasing renewable energy credits to offset 100% of its carbon footprint resulting from electricity use. Ater Wynne was also one of the first firms to create a practice group specifically for the purpose of advising clients on how to integrate sustainability into their business plans and daily practices. Ater Wynnes commitment goes beyond just policy and corporate responsibility. The firms culture of sustainability influences the personal choices made by staff and attorneys alike. For example, a large percentage of the firms employees use public or alternative transportation. Each year, the firm takes up Portlands Commuter Challenge and Bike Commute Challenge. During the summer of 2008 alone, as part of the Portland Commuter Challenge, the Portland office saved nearly 7000 pounds of CO emissions by commuting approximately 8400 miles by alternative forms of sustainable transportation. In 2010, twenty people in one month logged 5300 miles using different modes of sustainable transportation as part of the Carefree Commuter Challenge. As part of the firms commitment to improving its sustainability policies, the Eco-Team regularly meets to review firm practices and employee suggestions. Successful suggestions are rewarded with gift cards. Any interested employee seeking more information on sustainability can attend training through the Oregon chapter of The Natural Step. In-house lunches frequently feature speakers and presentations on topics related to sustainability. The notion of social equity is a serious consideration between the firm and its members; the work environment is intentionally designed to embrace diversity of thought and people, to be supportive of community service, and to treat each other with respect. In recognition of Ater Wynnes efforts, the firm has been listed as one of the Best Green Companies to Work for in Oregon by Oregon Business Magazine and is the top ranking law firm on the list this year. On the silent rage trailer level, the firm provides resources for sustainability projects. In this regard, for the past two years it has hosted Beaverton High Schools IB Environmental Systems classes for a tour of the firm, discussion of green office practices, and career education. The firm also sponsored the Sustainable Business Oregon section of the Portland Business Journal, first as a supplement to the weekly paper, later expanding into a stand-alone, on-line publication. If place is a metaphor for this philosophy, Ater Wynne consciously chose a home office intended to provide greater opportunities to practice sustainability. Its space, which is constructed of reused, recycled and renewable materials, is located in the Lovejoy Building, which received Gold LEED certification earlier this year. The new building reduced the firms energy consumption by twenty-five percent. Natural light fills interior conference spaces and an outdoor terrace, creating a community without walls of law books. Small personal offices are the norm. A large, central commons hosts the lunchroom and coffee area, where staff and attorneys interact daily. Situating itself in the Pearl District also allowed Ater Wynne to capitalize on public transportation and urban efficiencies. While not all law firms have the resources or opportunity to create this type of physical environment, Ater Wynnes leadership in committing its resources to making form enhance sustainable function provides a model for how law firms can incorporate building efficiencies and sustainable materials into legal work spaces. Ater Wynne is the first law firm recognized by the Sustainable Future Section for creatively adapting sustainable practices into Oregons legal culture. Its leadership and commitment to silent rage trailer will no doubt demonstrate ways in which other law firms can incorporate sustainability into office culture and practice. You must login to comment on articles or post in the forums. This month local yoga instructors Jen Ater, above, top right, and Gail Lichtenfels launched a program to teach yoga in village public schools. Shown above are McKinney Middle School students at a yoga class this week. Photo by Sehvilla Mann A group of 19 students sits cross-legged on purple mats in Sarah Lowes classroom at McKinney Middle School. Its 9 on a Tuesday morning, and theyre just beginning their first class of the day: physical education. Instead of chasing balls or running laps in the gym, though, theyll be spending the next 50 minutes practicing yoga with local instructor Jen Ater, the co-creator of a new program that aims to bring yoga to the village schools physical education curriculum. The students, all in eighth grade, listen while Ater asks if their perception of yoga has changed since they began the program several weeks ago. Ahmad Wagner, 14, raises his hand. I guess it gets better in a way, because once you do it more, it gets better it helps loosen the soul, in a way, he said. With this in mind, Ater has the students lie down on their mats to begin a series of relaxing exercises. Later theyll move on to more active, standing poses, then cycle back to calming postures to end the class. Ater conceived of the idea for a yoga-in-the-schools program with fellow longtime instructor Gail Lichtenfels, also of Yellow Springs. We got together in August with this vision of: what if? said Ater in a recent interview at her studio. We both share a passion for yoga, weve both seen benefits in our lives and want to spread the word, said Lichtenfels. The two yogis caught wind that a local family foundation was interested in giving funding to a large-scale community project, according to Ater. Together with this private organization, which prefers to remain anonymous, the two created the Yellow Springs Youth Yoga Project.