Sullivan Law Ptbo has good reason to celebrate, and celebrate it did on Thursday (September 19) at its Queen Street office in downtown Peterborough.
On July 22, the law firm officially received B Corporation (B Corp) certification from B Lab Global, a not-for-profit network dedicated to “transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities and the planet.”
With a B Impact Score of 102 points — well above the minimum 80 points required for certification — Sullivan Law became just the sixth Canadian law firm to be certified a B Corporation, and only the second in Ontario.
B Corporation status signifies that the holder is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency in a range of areas, including employee benefits to supply chain practices and input materials.
To attain certification, an applicant must demonstrate high social and environmental performance, make a legal commitment by changing its corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, and exhibit transparency by allowing information regarding performance measured against B Lab’s standards to be made publicly available via its B Corporation profile listed at www.bcorporation.net.
Worldwide, there are more than 6,300 Certified B Corporations, representing 150 industries in more than 80 countries. Among them are Peterborough-based Unity Design Studio (formerly Lett Architects), Laridae Communications Inc., and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
“It is really important for us to make sure Peterborough is benefiting because we are here,” said lawyer Martha Sullivan before her staff and invited guests, Town Ward city councillors Joy Lachica and Alex Bierk among them as well as Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area executive director Nour Mazloum and member engagement coordinator Tiffany Daskewich.
“A B Corporation is what’s called a beneficial corporation,” Sullivan explained. “We look far beyond profits in every decision we make. The B Corp movement is very much a global movement that balances profit with purpose, and is committed to using business as a positive force for change. It took us six years (to attain certification) and that’s why — well, I’m amongst friends — I’m hella proud that we did it.”
She noted the certification comes with specific legal requirements.
“We are now legally required to think about the impact of all of our decisions on all of our stakeholders. That includes our colleagues, our clients, our clients, and also the environment.”
Afterwards, Sullivan gave more insight into the certification application process, pointing out the validator/verifier that Sullivan Law worked with was based in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
“It is an incredibly rigorous process,” she said. “Any document that they want you are required to provide. When I say we give one per cent of our profits back to the community, I had to show how much we make and exactly how much we’re giving back. They got proof of all of our RSP contributions that we provide for our team members, their health benefits, our toxic waste policy, our recycling policy — they talked to Brant (Office Supply) about the types of paper we use.”
Sullivan also described some of the other implications of applying for the certification.
“I never would have thought about what types of pens we use. Why would you think about that, until you actually look at it and realize ‘Holy cow, we go through 6,000 pens in a year and they’re not made from recycled goods?’ How much do you pay cleaners? How much do you pay IT? Are they paid a living wage? We pay significantly higher than a living wage to anyone who interacts with our organization, because that’s what is right. One year I focused on our environmental impact, to be able to rise to their (B Corporation) level.”
Asked if the average person coming through Sullivan Law’s doors cares if the law firm is B Corporation certified, Sullivan admitted she’s “not sure,” but quickly added “It’s really important to be a positive force for change.”
“In the future, I would rather be riding the edge of the wave when, in five or 10 years, it’s embarrassing if you’re not a B Corporation. Everyone is looking for organizations that care about climate change, that care about their local community, that are giving back and just don’t want to make a profit off them. I think many of our clients say ‘If I can get kindness and respect, why wouldn’t I go there?’ That’s really important to me.”
While receiving B Corporation certification is an achievement well worth celebrating today, tomorrow — three years, to be exact — will see Sullivan Law have to requalify to keep that status.
Meanwhile, Thursday’s gathering also served to celebrate the law firm’s move last October to its larger, renovated location at 362 Queen Street from the Sherbrooke Street office where it opened in April 2017.
Among Sullivan Law’s 14 current staff are six lawyers specializing in family law, wills and estates, real estate law, business law, and mediation and guardianship matters. In 2018, the law firm was named Micro Business of the Year by the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce. Sullivan Law is also the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Luminary Awards for women in business, launched by the chamber on Wednesday (September 18).
For more information about Sullivan Law Ptbo, visit www.sullivanptbo.ca.
