In Curitiba, Brazil, the law firm De Paola & Panasolo has created a working and living environment dedicated to providing the highest level of health, comfort, and well-being for its team and clients alike. Since their founding in 1992, the firm has led with sustainable development as one of its organizational pillars – and with environmental law as one of its specialties. 

In 2018, they became the first office in Paraná to sign on to the United Nations Global Compact, which, along with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, have guided their actions as a firm. One of those key actions was LEED certification. 

Over a period of several years, De Paolo & Panasolo developed a strategic and detailed plan that transitioned the organization to solely biodegradable cleaning products, diverted nearly all of the waste created on site from landfill through composting and stringent recycling programs, installed solar panels to generate their own renewable energy, and neutralized their carbon footprint. That’s a long list — with an even more impressive outcome. 

They achieved LEED Platinum certification for Existing Buildings, which is an impressive accomplishment in and of itself. But they didn’t stop there. As you may know, LEED Zero certification is a powerful target that will move the entire industry forward to a regenerative future.

In summer 2020, the law firm achieved LEED Zero Energy and LEED Zero Carbon certifications. 

And in 2021, they received a USGBC regional leadership award.

The De Paolo & Panasolo firm is a shining example of the power one building can have – for the health and wellness of its occupants, the carbon footprint of its community, and the education of its visitors — who will hopefully carry on this work in their own spaces and cities.