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Rockridge Venture Law® and its B Tennessee Partners Present Leading Voices in Corporate Social Responsibility across Tennessee and beyond. 

On August 27th, Rockridge Venture Law®, or RVL®, organized and sponsored a virtual workshop entitled “Corporate Social Responsibility in the South: Insights from Tennessee Leaders.” The event featured Tennessee leaders from academic, faith, industrial, and retail communities, stretching from Nashville to Kingsport, as well as global sustainability leader Vincent Stanley from Patagonia. Farrell Calabrese of Eastman represented the Tri-Cities region, speaking on industrial scale sustainability in products and supply chains. Jonathan Ingraham of Chattanooga Faith + Work + Culture discussed what role the faith community plays in advancing better corporate citizenship. Other panelists included Ryan Bailey of The Bailey Company discussing their zero-waste certification, and Emily Landry of B Academics and the University of Tennessee Green Economy Initiative. Proceeds from the event benefitted green|spaces and Urban Green Lab, Tennessee nonprofits focused on building sustainable communities.

RVL is Tennessee’s only business certified by both B Lab and 1% For The Planet for its mission-oriented business model. In addition to providing IP and tech law services to corporations, governments, and entrepreneurs, we practice what we call Give-10, whereby we give 10% of our time in the form of pro bono support, and 10% of our revenue in the form of sponsorships, to environmental stewardship and social impact nonprofits. Our 2020 nonprofit partners include: green|spaces; I.M.P.A.C.T. Cookeville; Living Lands and Waters; Mayhem Mission; Mustard Seed Ranch; and NC State Environmental Impact Competition.

About B Tennessee

B Tennessee is is an initiative led by Tennessee B Corps Newly, Nisolo, Patagonia-Nashville, Rockridge Venture Law, and Whiteboard to foster advancement of CSR and sustainability frameworks, emphasizing B Corps and benefit corporations.

The August 27th event followed B Tennessee’s inaugural event held at Patagonia-Nashville’s store, combined attracting over 300 registered individuals interested in using business as a force for good. Looking ahead, B Tennessee has partnered with other social enterprises in the Southeast to host a virtual regional conference exploring ways that our region can become the leader for mission-oriented business. The conference will be held in November.

About Rockridge Venture Law®

RVL® was launched in 2017 to become the preeminent intellectual property and technology firm across the Appalachian Innovation Corridor. We now have offices in Chattanooga, Durham, Jackson and Nashville, and represent clients and interests globally. Our services include all aspects of intellectual property, litigation, M&A, privacy, technology transactions, and ventures.

In 2018 and 2019, we were recognized as B Corp Best for the World for our commitment to triple bottom line business practices. Our pioneering environmental and social impact programs attract top-notch legal talent and assure our clients of missional alignment with their corporate values.

Rockridge uniquely addresses two modern profit drivers: innovation (uptake and development), and corporate social responsibility. We’re Building Today’s Company for Tomorrow’s Economy® by leading clients through the dizzying array of information controls, by helping them to develop and monetize proprietary assets, and by enabling their impactful products, programs, and principles.

Bruce Allen

Author Bruce Allen

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RVL® is a business, intellectual property, and technology firm, building today’s companies for tomorrow’s economy.