Stikeman Elliott recognized as one of Canada's "Green 30" environmentally
friendly employers

TORONTO, April 22 /CNW/ - Stikeman Elliott LLP, one of Canada's leading business law firms, has been named one of Canada's "Green 30" businesses, as selected by Maclean's and Canadian Business magazines in partnership with Hewitt Associates. The distinction honours Canadian organizations that have embraced environmental stewardship in their business models and corporate culture, as recognized by employees at all levels within the organization. The list of honourees is based on employee responses to the annual "50 Best Employers in Canada" survey, which, as announced earlier this year, has named Stikeman Elliott as one of the country's top 50 employers for 2010.

Stikeman Elliott's comprehensive GoingGreen Program focuses on environmental initiatives that engage and involve firm members in each of its departments and offices across Canada. The success of "GoingGreen" was a key element in the firm's certification in April 2009 as Canada's first carbon neutral national law firm.

"We are thrilled that our firm members have embraced our organizational commitment to sustainable operations," said Stikeman Elliott chair Pierre Raymond. "Our people are the catalysts for many of the initiatives that we have undertaken. They have taken ownership of our GoingGreen program and they should be commended for our selection as a Green 30 business."

The firm has introduced a number of measures, large and small, each of which is designed to reduce waste, increase recycling and improve energy efficiency in the firm's offices in Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver.

"It is energizing to consider not only the steps we have taken, but also the great ideas that continue to flow from our people across Canada to make the firm more environmentally conscious," said Mr. Raymond. "We look forward to continuing to engage our firm members in these efforts."

    
    Stikeman Elliott's initiatives include:
    -   Launching a firm-wide recycling program (including paper, cans,
        bottles, toner, batteries, electronic waste, organic waste and office
        supplies)
    -   Implementing two-sided printing firm-wide (net savings of over 6
        million sheets of paper in 2009)
    -   Eliminating bottled water, paper plates and plastic cutlery in all
        offices
    -   Installing lighting motion sensors
    -   Replacing standalone units with energy-efficient multifunction
        printer machines (used to copy, print and scan)
    -   Reducing lighting levels in common areas and adjusting temperatures
        to reduce energy usage
    -   Implementing electronic distribution of most internal reports,
        helping to conserve paper
    -   Adopting an environmental purchasing policy to give preference to
        vendors with sound environmental practices
    -   Ongoing participation in local community programs such as Encorp's
        Return-it Work Program (Vancouver), volunteer park clean-ups
        (Calgary), Greening Greater Toronto (Toronto) and Défi Climat
        Challenge (Montréal)
    -   Education campaigns to firm members on measures they can employ at
        work and at home to be energy efficient and reduce waste, including
        "tip sheets" and giveaways of reusable lunch and shopping bags and
        ceramic mugs
    

ABOUT STIKEMAN ELLIOTT LLP

With over 500 lawyers across Canada and around the world, Stikeman Elliott is recognized nationally and internationally for the sophistication of its business law practice. Nationally, the firm has offices in Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver and internationally, in New York, London and Sydney. The firm serves its clients wherever their business takes them. Stikeman Elliott was named as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2009 and 2010 and as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for 2010.

The firm maintains Renewable Energy, Environmental and Emissions Trading & Climate Change practices to provide clients with advice in all areas of environmental stewardship, investment and project development.

For more information about Stikeman Elliott, please visit our website at www.stikeman.com.

For further information: MEDIA CONTACT: Diana Lawrence, National Director, Marketing & Business Development, [email protected], [phone]; Mirabel Paquette, Director of Marketing & Communications, [email protected], [phone]