Peter Dernbach, Coordinating Partner of Winkler Partners, recently received the Service Award for a Better Society, in recognition of his and the firm’s efforts to positively impact society and the environment. The award was presented by the International Trademark Association (INTA) at their recently held Leadership Meeting in Austin, Texas. It is the first year that INTA has awarded members for their work to positively impact society and build consumer trust through corporate social responsibility (CSR), diversity and inclusion, or pro bono legal services. Alice Kelly, a partner at Ice Miller LLP in Chicago, Illinois; TOMS Shoes Inc., Los Angeles, California; Natura Cosméticos S.A., São Paulo, Brazil; and FSC Global Development GmbH, Bonn, Germany also received the award.

In their press release, INTA President David Lossignol said, “Mr. Dernbach is a progressive thinker and trendsetter for how professionals can better incorporate CSR into the DNA of their law firm” and that “he and his firm have a clear vision for inclusion, diversity, and sustainability, and have set the standard for law firms and lawyers aspiring to do good in the world. These efforts perfectly align with INTA’s incorporation of CSR into our strategic plan.” INTA drew special attention to our environmental initiatives, including the measuring and reduction of our carbon footprint, waste reduction and our roof garden, including solar panels which provide our office with some of our electricity needs.

On accepting the award Peter said, “This is very special for Winkler Partners as a firm, and for me, personally. In recent years, INTA has afforded me several opportunities to share what we are trying to do at Winkler Partners to make a positive impact in our community. This award is a meaningful recognition of our efforts thus far, from a community I care about deeply, and gives us further encouragement to do more going forward.”

Peter has had several opportunities to share the firm’s social and environmental experience at several INTA events, including at the 2019 Annual Meeting held in Boston, Massachusetts, and the 2018 Asia Pacific Meeting held in Sydney, Australia. He also spoke on how law firms can build authentic brands through articulating their vision with employees, at the Leadership Meeting held in Austin as part of their INTA Influencers program.