Steve Gummer, head of net zero at Sharpe Pritchard, was recently named as one of Legal 500’s new UK Green Ambassadors. In this Q&A, he discusses the rise of ESG, career highlights, and how law can be a force for social and environmental change Continue reading “‘We need more lawyers with a green conscience’ – the net zero partner fighting for sustainability”
Nominations are now open for the Legal 500 UK ESG Awards 2025, following a highly successful debut last year. The event will celebrate exceptional contributions to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives within the legal sector. Continue reading “Legal 500 UK ESG Awards 2025 – nominations now open”
In the last two years, how has the ESG practice group grown at the firm?
Anya George: One notable characteristic of our group now is that it is truly multidisciplinary. We possess expertise in both transactional matters and disputes. In recent years, we have placed increased emphasis on financial market regulation, greenwashing, and carbon credits—areas where many of our competitors lack expertise. In Switzerland, there has been a noticeable rise in requests for advice on ESG matters across the board, although understanding due diligence and reporting requirements remains a primary concern for our clients. Continue reading “ESG in Switzerland: Schellenberg Wittmer Q&A”
Could you share some examples of innovative ways Herbert Smith Freehills is working with clients in the ESG space?
Silke Goldberg: At Herbert Smith Freehills, we are actively engaging with our clients in the ESG space through innovative tools like our Global ESG Tracker and ESRS Navigator. Continue reading “‘Clients are not only seeking legal expertise but also looking for firms that practice what they preach’ – ESG Q&A: Herbert Smith Freehills”
Jonathan Bower, partner, planning and infrastructure team leader and partner lead for net zero by 2030 strategy at Womble Bond Dickinson, sets out the case for a clear ESG vision with a focus on inspiring behavioural change
Historical events have often led to transformative changes. The Industrial Revolution was one such moment and, today, we’re on the brink of another significant shift – an environmental, social and governance revolution. Although centuries apart, there are clear parallels between the two, not least the considerable cultural and social change needed to create a revolution. Continue reading “ESG: Evolution or revolution?”
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‘In the old days, it was about having a nice brochure with some green pictures, but then getting on with the serious matter of running our business. We’ve moved way beyond that now – it’s a business fundamental now.’
Norton Rose Fulbright head of environment, health and safety, Europe, Middle East and Asia, Caroline May neatly sums up the transformative shift in attitudes in recent years, with law firms now more attuned than ever to the importance of ESG, both in their capacity as commercial advisers and in terms of their reputation as progressive employers. Continue reading “Beyond ‘nice to have’ – ESG goes business fundamental”
Gen Z – including its lawyers – are often characterised as being overly concerned about the social and political issues that come under the ESG umbrella. It’s an issue that was discussed at Legal Business’s April Enterprise GC event in a panel called: ‘The ideal employer for an idealistic lawyer’, during which one audience member dismissed concerns in the somewhat facetious terms: ‘Everybody’s gone woke!’
The truth is – as always – more nuanced. While Gen Z lawyers do care about ESG issues, this does not mean there is a cultural clash between the generations, even if they are more vocal about their expectations than older generations may have been. Continue reading “What Gen Z lawyers really want from their careers”
On 29-30 April, more than 200 senior in-house counsel gathered at the Hilton London Wembley for the seventh annual Enterprise GC event.
The event – which was sponsored by Walker Morris, Luminance, Lex Mundi, SSQ, EY, Taylor Wessing, Trowers & Hamlins, Cilex, Flex Legal, Winston & Strawn, Thomson Reuters and LexisNexis – saw two packed days of dynamic sessions, panel discussions and networking, bringing together top in-house professionals and speakers from broader business and academic communities to discuss the evolving role of GCs. Continue reading “Enterprise winners”
