NGE Law Firm GBI Certified for Energy, Carbon

CHICAGO – The Neal Gerber Eisenberg law firm has achieved Certified Status for Energy and Carbon through the Green Building Initiative’s Journey to Net Zero for Sustainable Interiors.

The distinction follows a comprehensive evaluation of the firm’s three-floor office build-out, making the first law firm globally to earn certification in both Energy and Carbon under this program.

The Green Building Initiative’s (GBI) Journey to Net Zero for Sustainable Interiors program is a rigorous, performance-based assessment designed to support the decarbonization of the built environment.

“This certification reflects years of intentional decisions rather than a single initiative,” said Sonia Menon, Chief Operating Officer of NGE. “From energy modeling and material selection to how we procure power and operate our space, sustainability is embedded into how our office functions every day.”

The certification evaluates a project’s energy use intensity (EUI) and operational carbon emissions against advanced baseline standards, confirming that a space has achieved a 100 percent reduction in energy and carbon impacts through efficiency, electrification strategies, and verified renewable energy sourcing.

Achieving Certified Status signals that NGE’s interior space meets these demanding criteria today, while also providing a framework for continued verification and improvement over time. The certification is valid for three years and is intended to encourage ongoing accountability as organizations progress on their path toward long-term net zero goals.

“We’re proud to be the first law firm to meet GBI’s Energy and Carbon standards and hope it demonstrates what is possible for professional services firms committed to measurable, accountable progress,” said Menon.

The achievement builds on NGE’s broader sustainability leadership. Last July, NGE earned LEED Platinum Certification for its newly built-out office, becoming the only law firm in Chicago to achieve that distinction and the second-largest LEED Platinum Certified interiors project in Illinois. That certification recognized the firm’s performance across water efficiency, energy optimization, indoor environmental quality and materials transparency.

“Achieving Certified Status for both Energy and Carbon under GBI’s Journey to Net Zero program requires more than good intentions. It requires verified performance,” said Laci Hoskins, Principal at Novo Sustainability. “NGE’s certification reflects a high level of rigor, strong documentation, and a clear commitment to operating their space at a verified net zero energy and carbon level under the program’s standards.”

Beyond the physical workspace, NGE continues to advance sustainability through firm-wide initiatives, community engagement, and transparent reporting. The firm recently released its Corporate Social Responsibility Report, detailing progress across environmental stewardship, pro bono service, community partnerships and internal education efforts led by its Sustainability Committee.

For forty years, Neal Gerber Eisenberg has built enduring partnerships with clients across the globe, delivering personalized counsel and practical solutions tailored to each unique need. The firm is also a valued advisor to startups and growth-stage companies, offering strategic counsel that evolves with their business.

For more, go to nge.com.