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Johnson Controls Retains Gonzalez, Saggio & Harlan, LLP as National Environmental Counsel
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MILWAUKEE, July 25, 2006 /DiversityBusiness.com/ -- Johnson Controls announced today that it has retained Milwaukee-based Gonzalez, Saggio & Harlan, LLP, one of the nation's largest minority-owned law firms, to serve as national environmental counsel for the company.
"We are pleased to be working with Gonzalez, Saggio & Harlan. Their expertise aligns strongly with our complex national environmental law needs," said Jerry Okarma, vice president, secretary and general counsel for Johnson Controls. "The firm's business practices reflect their commitment to diversity, and they are a very well-qualified legal partner."
Johnson Controls is a global leader in corporate sustainability and supplier diversity initiatives. In 2004 the corporation received The World Environment Center's International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development Award and in 2006 Johnson Controls received several diversity-based awards, including the 2006 Leadership Award from the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) for significant long-term achievements in minority business development.
"Minority-owned law firms have often found it difficult to become retained by major corporations. In retaining Gonzalez, Saggio & Harlan, Johnson Controls has once again set an example for other multinational companies," said Renuka Vishnubhakta, managing director of The National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms.
Johnson Controls spends more than $1 billion annually with minority and women-owned businesses representing over 50 commodity and purchasing areas -- about 12 percent of its controllable purchases. This guiding business principle has earned Johnson Controls recognition by NMSDC. Johnson Controls is also a member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, which is comprised of just 12 U.S. companies with over $1 billion in annual purchases from diverse suppliers.
"The relationship will help to further strengthen our growing transactional practice and national presence. We welcome the opportunity and look forward to growing with Johnson Controls," said Jerry Gonzalez, a managing partner with Gonzalez, Saggio & Harlan.
Johnson Controls is a global leader in interior experience, building efficiency and power solutions. The company provides innovative automotive interiors that help make driving more comfortable, safe and enjoyable. For buildings, it offers products and services that optimize energy use and improve comfort and security. Johnson Controls also provides batteries for automobiles and hybrid electric vehicles, along with systems engineering and service expertise. Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) has 136,000 employees in more than 1,000 locations serving customers in 125 countries. Founded in 1885, the company is headquartered in Milwaukee. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/ .
Gonzalez, Saggio & Harlan LLP is headquartered in Milwaukee and has offices in Chicago, Indianapolis, West Des Moines, Iowa, and Cincinnati. The firm has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies and has served as national counsel to its clients in a variety of practice areas including complex litigation, employment, transactional and environmental law. With over 40 attorneys, Gonzalez, Saggio & Harlan, LLP is one of the largest minority-owned law firms in the nation. For additional information, please visit http://www.gshllp.com/ .
Website: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/
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