Hanson Bridgett Recertified as a B Corporation, Continuing Nearly Two Decades of Purpose-Driven Leadership
The firm’s latest recertification reflects its longstanding commitment to accountability, stakeholder impact, and using business as a force for good
Hanson Bridgett has once again beencertified for the 6th time as a B Corporation (or “B Corp”), reaffirming a commitment to the type of responsible business practices the firm has helped normalize and advance, including through nearly two decades of consecutive B Corp certification.
Hanson Bridgett became the first law firm recognized as a Certified B Corp in December 2007. Since then, the firm has continued to evaluate its success not only by sophisticated legal services, but also by the firm’s overall impact on its people, clients, communities, and the environment.
For Hanson Bridgett, B Corp certification has never been simply a badge. It is a framework for accountability and a continuing call to put the firm’s values into practice.
“We are proud to be a founding B corp and signatory of the Declaration of Interdependence establishing the B corp movement,” said Jonathan Storper, partner at Hanson Bridgett. “It has been gratifying to see how the B corp movement has grown from the first 15 companies to thousands across the world and how it has positively impacted our own work for our clients,” noted Teresa Pahl, partner at Hanson Bridgett. “They’re making responsible decisions and trying to do better — by their employees, owners, for their community, and for the environment.”
What B Corp Certification Means
B Corp Certification is administered by B Lab, a nonprofit organization and global network focused on transforming the role of business in society. Certified B Corporations are evaluated against standards relating to social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
The certification process asks companies to look beyond traditional measures of financial performance and consider how their decisions affect a broader group of stakeholders.
For Hanson Bridgett, that means continually examining how the firm supports its attorneys and professional staff, serves its clients, contributes to its communities, advances responsible workplace practices, and reduces its environmental impact. Recertification is not a one-time achievement. It requires organizations to revisit their practices, measure their progress, and demonstrate that their commitments remain active over time.
That continued accountability is central to the value of the certification.
A Firm With Deep Roots in the B Corp Movement
Hanson Bridgett’s connection to the B Corp movement extends beyond its own certification.
The firm’s founders embraced the idea of business as a force for good well before B Lab was established. As the movement developed, Hanson Bridgett helped write the legal framework and advocate for California legislation that created the benefit corporation—a corporate form designed to allow companies to embed social and environmental goals into their governing structure alongside financial objectives. To be a certified B corp, all corporations must now also become a benefit corporation.
That work helped provide businesses with a legal framework for pursuing public-benefit goals while remaining profitable and accountable to their stakeholders. Today, the firm continues to advise purpose-driven businesses and organizations navigating questions of governance, impact, accountability, and long-term value.
This history distinguishes Hanson Bridgett’s role in the movement. The firm has not only participated as a Certified B Corporation; it has also helped shape the legal infrastructure that allows mission-driven companies to operate and grow.
Putting Purpose Into Practice
B Corp principles are reflected throughout Hanson Bridgett’s operations and culture.
The firm’s business objectives include supporting the well-being and professional development of its people, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing meaningful pro bono service, partnering with nonprofit organizations, and investing in the communities where its attorneys and professional staff live and work.
The firm also continues to examine its environmental practices, vendor relationships, office operations, and opportunities to reduce its carbon footprint. These priorities are not separate from Hanson Bridgett’s work for clients. They are part of how the firm defines responsible business.
Clients increasingly expect their legal and business partners to understand the importance of accountability, workplace culture, sustainability, and stakeholder impact. Attorneys and incoming talent are also looking for workplaces whose actions align with their stated values.
Hanson Bridgett’s B Corp commitment reflects that alignment.
Continuing to Lead and Participate
The firm has remained engaged in the broader B Corp community. That commitment is also reflected in leadership. Laura Long, Hanson Bridgett’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer, was a member of B Local Bay Area’s board last year.
On August 12, Hanson Bridgett will host a B Lab Standards Workshop in its San Francisco office, providing an opportunity for members of the B Corp community to learn more about evolving certification standards and expectations. The workshop reflects an important part of the B Corp model: certification is not an endpoint. It requires continued participation, learning, assessment, and improvement.
B Corp in Action
Hanson Bridgett’s latest recertification is an opportunity to recognize the firm’s history in leading the way while continuing to look forward.
Over the coming weeks, the firm will share perspectives from attorneys and leaders on what B Corp certification means, how the movement has evolved, and how Hanson Bridgett continues to put its values into action. We’re proud of this designation and we want to take the opportunity to highlight the people and partnerships that bring our commitment to life — from the firm’s early involvement in the benefit corporation framework to its current community leadership and continued accountability.
Nearly two decades after becoming the first law firm recognized as a Certified B Corp and helping define what certification means, Hanson Bridgett remains committed to the principle that responsible business and excellent client service are not mutually exclusive.
At Hanson Bridgett, it’s never been business as usual. It is business as a B Corp.