Sustainability & Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Weil is at the forefront of sustainability, environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, employing a cross-disciplinary and global approach to advising our clients proactively on how to address and balance the call for greater transparency on sustainability and ESG matters with regulatory, legal and reputational risk. We counsel public and private corporations, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, boards of directors, C-suite executives, financial institutions and other financial sponsors on all aspects of sustainability and ESG matters.

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Notable Representations, Key Contacts

The Sustainability and ESG Landscape

Driven by a variety of societal, political, regulatory and market trends, the global focus on sustainability and ESG issues has become increasingly acute. Business risks and opportunities involving the impact of climate change, sustainability and human capital matters continue to significantly affect the marketplace and the flow of capital. Public and private companies and private equity sponsors alike are proactively assessing and addressing sustainability and ESG issues across their businesses and investments and looking critically at their impact on the communities in which they operate. More than ever before, businesses are taking into consideration the interests of diverse stakeholders. Moreover, companies are seeking ways to lower their cost of capital by accessing green and sustainability-linked financings.

Industry, regulatory and investor guidance on sustainability and ESG issues can be complex and inconsistent despite clear momentum and intense pressure for businesses and investors to incorporate sustainability and ESG considerations into companies’ operations. The regulatory landscape is rapidly moving towards heightened disclosure requirements, increased scrutiny of sustainability claims and more frequent “greenwashing” allegations.

We take an integrated and holistic approach to partnering with our clients to evaluate their business goals, assess impacts, risks and opportunities and provide sound business judgment and guidance on compliance with applicable regulations, market trends and investor expectations. Our Sustainability & ESG group comprises lawyers across the full spectrum of practice areas, including attorneys with deep subject matter expertise on sustainability and ESG topics.

Our Capabilities

Corporate Governance and Best Practices

Crisis Management

Data Privacy & Cybersecurity

Environmental, Health and Safety Matters

Disclosure and Reporting; ESG Ratings

Diversity and Human Capital Management

Sustainability and Impact Focused Funds

Litigation, Investigations, Enforcement and Regulatory Reviews

Shareholders and Investor Engagement

Transactions and Due Diligence

Key Contacts

James Bromley

James Bromley

Partner

London

Annemargaret Connolly

Annemargaret Connolly

Partner

Washington, D.C.

Lyuba Goltser

Lyuba Goltser

Partner

New York

Grapsas_Rebecca

Rebecca Grapsas

Partner

New York

See list of lawyers globally

Shortcut Links

Annemargaret Connolly Named 2024 “Environment Lawyer of the Year” and “ESG Leadership Lawyer of the Year”

Euromoney Legal Media Group Americas Women in Business Law Awards

Ranked Band 1 for Environment: Mainly Transactional in D.C.

Chambers USA 2024

Ranked Tier 1 for Environment: Transactional

Legal 500 US 2024

Annemargaret Connolly Ranked Band 1 for Environment: Mainly Transactional in D.C.

Chambers USA 2024

Named National Tier 1 Environmental Law Practice

U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” Survey 2022*

* Best Lawyers (in America) is by Levine Leichtman Capital Partners

Weil are among the best. They are very well regarded.”

Chambers USA 2024

Very knowledgeable and proficient on the most complex of transactions.”

Chambers USA 2024

Speaking Engagements, Latest Thinking, Firm News & Announcements

Speaking Engagements

  • Human Rights in the Supply Chain Speaker(s): Rebecca Grapsas, Hayley Lund and Timothy C. Welch

    October 10, 2024 — Public Company Advisory Group partner Rebecca Grapsas, Litigation partner Hayley Lund and Regulatory partner Timothy Welch spoke on a Center Briefing titled “Human Rights in the Supply Chain” as part of The Conference Board’s ESG Center Working Group.

  • SEC Enforcement, AI, ESG and CEO Succession – Critical Discussions Your Board Should Be Having with Your Chief Legal Officer Speaker(s): Sarah Coyne and Kaitlin Descovich

    September 17, 2024 — New York, NY — Co-Head of Weil’s global White Collar Defense, Regulatory and Investigations practice Sarah Coyne and Public Company Advisory Group partner Kaitlin Descovich spoke on the panel titled “SEC Enforcement, AI, ESG and CEO Succession – Critical Discussions Your Board Should Be Having with Your Chief Legal Officer” as part of the 2024 Boardroom Summit.

  • ABA Business Law Section Fall Meeting 2024 Speaker(s): Rebecca Grapsas

    September 14, 2024 — Public Company Advisory Group partner Rebecca Grapsas spoke on a program titled “Evolving Sustainability Requirements: Soft Law to Hard Law to Harder Law” as part of the American Bar Association Business Law Section Fall Meeting 2024, in San Diego.

  • California Lawyers Association Legal ESG Series: ESG – Substantial of Marketing Claims Speaker(s): Morgan Donoian MacBride

    August 7, 2024 — Weil Complex Commercial Litigation counsel Morgan MacBride conducted a webinar as part of the California Lawyers Association’s Legal ESG Series, discussing essential guidance on adhering to green marketing regulations while maintaining brand integrity.

  • Millstein Center at Columbia Law School Conference on ESG: Comparative Perspectives, New Controversies and New Voices Speaker(s): Lyuba Goltser and Rebecca Grapsas

    June 24, 2024 — New York, NY — Weil Public Company Advisory Group Co-Head Lyuba Goltser spoke on a panel titled “ESG Landscape and Recent Developments in the U.S.,” and Weil Public Company Advisory Group Partner Rebecca Grapsas spoke on a panel titled “ESG Legislation and Regulation: E.U. vs. U.S.” at the ESG conference hosted by the Ira M. Millstein Center for Global Markets and Corporate Ownership at Columbia Law School.

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Latest Thinking

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Firm News & Announcements

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