Parent company of law firms Sladen Legal and Harwood Andrews – The Lantern Legal Group Pty Ltd – has been awarded certification as a
B Corporation.

The Lantern Legal Group joins businesses such as well-known adventure apparel brand Patagonia, thriving online marketplace Etsy and ice-cream company Ben & Jerry’s to be awarded with the certification.

B Corp certification is issued to businesses by B Lab, a not-for-profit organisation that works to give the tick of approval to businesses who meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

In order to be awarded and maintain the certification, a business must pass a rigorous assessment that measures a business’ impact on its employees, its community and the environment.

The Lantern Legal Group is just the second law firm in Australia to be certified as a B Corp, and one of just 55 businesses in Australia.

Managing Principal of The Lantern Legal Group, Dan Simmonds said the year-long process of achieving B Corp certification was a great opportunity for the firms to evaluate the impact of their operations.

“In becoming a B Corp we hope to continue to improve our impact on our communities and the environment, and inspire other businesses to do the same".

Dan acknowledges that that by doing right by employees, the environment and the community did not need to come at the expense of profits.

“Doing good is good business. The feedback and inquiry we have received so far has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said, adding that “Certified B Corps recognise that good business is about more than just profits it’s also about creating value for all stakeholders, including employees, customers and the wider community".

The B Corp movement began in the United States in 2007, and following its official launch in Australia last year, it is gaining momentum.

A growing community of over 1,200 Certified B Corps from more than 38 countries and 121 industries are working together towards one unifying goal: to redefine success in business.

For further information about this article, or on B Corporation Certification, please contact:

Ashleigh Wall
Associate
Sladen Legal
+61 3 9611 0181
awall@sladen.com.au