ESG

Governance and risk management

Good governance is critical for the long-term success of an organisation and underpins the development and execution of a successful sustainability strategy.  We provide legal insights and expertise to help your organisation maintain the right organisational structure, compliance culture and decision-making process to comply with evolving ESG reporting requirements and proactively manage legal risks.

Areas of focus

  • Corporate governance: Our global team provides strategic advice to boards on the full spectrum of corporate governance and risk management issues, ensuring legal compliance and alignment with external and internal ESG standards.
  • Directors' duties: Your board of directors plays a pivotal role in shaping your ESG strategy. We provide counsel on directors' duties within the ESG context, ensuring your board is well-prepared to make decisions that are legally sound and align with your values and long-term objectives. 
  • ESG-linked incentives: With businesses increasingly seeking to align their ESG and financial strategies, we work with remuneration committees to align their ESG priorities with executive incentives and rewards.
  • Supply chain risk: We take a global approach to advising on supply and value chain due diligence, including advising on the direct and indirect implications of international, EU and national supply chain due diligence frameworks and on modern slavery compliance and reporting requirements.
  • B Corp certification: We work with companies to incorporate ESG-considerations into their constitutional documents, including amending their articles of association to include the B Corp legal requirement and guiding clients through the B Corp certification process.
  • Protecting corporate reputation: In business your reputation is your most valuable asset. ESG issues can profoundly impact how your business is perceived and, ultimately, its bottom line. Our team of legal experts understand maintaining a positive image is not enough; it's about aligning your business' values with its actions to meet the expectations of clients, investors, and stakeholders. 
  • Responsible tax structures: We advise on tax structures that are not only compliant but also align with responsible and ethical practices. 
  • Corporate integrity: We advise clients on the legal and regulatory frameworks relating to anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering, tax evasion, fraud and employee  ethics and conduct which underpin good governance and ESG performance. We help clients put robust processes in place to ensure compliance and have the expertise to respond swiftly and effectively to investigate issues when they arise. 

Responsible business

We're committed to being a responsible business and taking accountability for our actions.

Learn more about our responsible business programme: 

Responsible business in the UK

Responsible business in Germany

Disputes & investigations

Internal investigations - raising the bar

1 May 2024
Quick read

by Andrew Howell

Click here to find out more
Corporate/M&A & capital markets

Advising Leica Geosystems on its acquisition of Xwatch Safety Solutions Limited

1 May 2024

by multiple authors

Click here to find out more
Careers

Announcing 26 senior promotions for 2024, including 18 to partnership

30 April 2024

by Shane Gleghorn and Olaf Kranz

Click here to find out more
Pensions

Pensions Bulletin - April 2024

30 April 2024
Quick read

by Anna Taylor and Mark Smith

Click here to find out more

Our people

Please feel free to contact any of the people listed here for more information about our capabilities and their expertise in ESG in your jurisdiction. You can also search for a particular individual or see the whole team by using our people finder.