Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility—encompassing respect for people, wise use of profits, and care for our planet—governs many aspects of Winston & Strawn’s strategic vision for our firm.
Winston’s longstanding commitment to being good citizens and stewards in our local communities is focused on three areas: sustainability, volunteerism, and charitable giving.
The firm has a long history of giving back to the communities in which we live and work and being good stewards of our planet.
Julie Goodman
Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer
Sustainability
Winston is committed to being a leader in environmental responsibility and we have embedded sustainability into the fabric of our operations worldwide. Every Winston office has adopted strategies to significantly reduce the firm’s carbon footprint. Through our paper recycling alone, we have saved thousands of trees and barrels of oil in addition to millions of gallons of water.
Additionally, every Winston & Strawn office building in the U.S. has been certified by the U.S. Green Building Council under the program for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Each year, we participate in Earth Week with educational programming, local park clean-ups, and by donating money to help our planet by planting trees.
Given our rapidly warming planet and changing climate, we know these efforts are not enough. Thus, in 2021, we developed the firm’s “Roadmap to Net Zero,” which is designed to achieve 50% carbon reduction by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. These strategic goals are aligned with the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommendations to avoid catastrophic climate change.
In 2022, we created a comprehensive carbon footprint baseline, which covered all relevant emissions-generating activities across 100% of Winston’s global facilities. We will use this baseline to annually measure our progress towards achieving our net zero goals. In addition, we are offsetting our electricity emissions by purchasing renewable energy credits.
Given our rapidly warming planet and changing climate, we know these efforts are not enough. Thus, in 2021, we developed the firm’s “Roadmap to Net Zero,” which is designed to achieve 50% carbon reduction by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. These strategic goals are aligned with the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommendations to avoid catastrophic climate change.
In 2022, we created a comprehensive carbon footprint baseline, which covered all relevant emissions-generating activities across 100% of Winston’s global facilities. We will use this baseline to annually measure our progress towards achieving our net zero goals. In addition, we are offsetting our electricity emissions by purchasing renewable energy credits.
Winston for Good
Winston has a strong and vibrant grassroots volunteer program managed by dedicated office teams that identify local opportunities to enhance the lives of others and mobilize volunteers.
Each year, hundreds of Winston for Good volunteers contribute their time, talent, and energy toward making the world a little bit better. These volunteer activities range from tutoring high school students and making sandwiches for those living in shelters to helping build a Habitat for Humanity home.
Firmwide, we participate in two signature events: a national day of service sponsored by 9/11.org and Cycle for Survival. In 2023, WinSTRONG teams from coast to coast spent a day cycling and raised more than $42,000 to help fight rare cancers.
In recognition of the firm’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, professional staff are able to take up to two days of paid time off to volunteer. Additionally, associates are able to count up to 10 Winston for Good hours towards meeting their annual billable hours goal.
Charitable Giving
Winston & Strawn has a long and proud history of supporting charitable organizations that strengthen our communities around the world. The Winston & Strawn Foundation provides financial support primarily to non-profit organizations that our attorneys, staff, and clients are actively engaged in supporting. In 2023, the Winston Foundation donated $2.8 million to charities.
Each year, we also participate in numerous firmwide and local office charitable donation drives, which range from collecting back-to-school supplies for children in our local communities and donating work clothing for a women’s shelter to providing food, warm coats, and holiday gifts to local area families. The firm also sponsors an annual Pets of Winston Calendar contest, where firm members vote for their favorite pet photos submitted by Winston’s proud pet parents. The top 12 vote-getters grace our calendar with proceeds going to an animal rights charity.
Our Commitment
Provided rooftop hives for 350,000 bees in Chicago, Dallas, and New York
Donated $2.2M to charities
Raised nearly $75,000 through local fundraisers
Helped plant 1,000+ trees during Earth Week
Z Jackson Embodies Service and a Great Generosity of Spirit