ESG - Paul Weiss' ESG & Law Institution Views It from 30,000 Feet

 There has been plenty of ESG-generated disruption throughout the corporate world. So much so that the preoccupation has become not becoming the “Next Disney.” Those kinds of actions have been increasingly pervasive and intense. Now even the boundaries between law firms and their clients have collapsed. Mayer Brown, for example, had been caught up in global vilification and a threatened boycott when representing Hong Kong University about the symbolism of Tiananmen Square.

MACRO THINKING ABOUT ESG

That’s the action part. However, overall the macro piece had been missing. That is, the analysis, research, and education about ESG. In particular, what has to be explored – 30,000 feet up – is its intersection with business, government, and law itself.

Paul_Weiss_Logo_1.svgWall Street law firm Paul Weiss noticed that. And what it created has been the ESG and Law Institute.

Think of The Institute as a kind of centralized intelligence network for boards, executives, institutional investors, lawyers, and law schools. Its Executive Director is David Curran. Paul Weiss provides direct ESG legal services to clients through its Sustainability and ESG Advisory Practice, founded by its Chairperson Brad Karp.

THE MAGIC OF PARTNERSHIP

The Institute is rapidly expanding its reach through partnerships. One point of leverage have been law schools such as the University of California at Berkeley and Howard University.

Most recently the Institute has joined with the FiscalNote Executive Institute.

Together they are co-hosting a three-course official continuing education series (providing up to 3 CLE credits). The schedule is: May 5, July 14, and September 22. Here are the details and the registration form.  

THE NUTS AND BOLTS

In the first session Curran and Kate O’Leary, General Electric’s Global Executive Litigation Counsel, will explore these kinds of issues:

How does ESG impact business, government, external affairs, and law?

What do senior executives and in-house counsel have to consider, especially given global and US regulatory developments. Yes, to be analyzed will be the SEC’s proposed climate regulation.

What are the ethical and legal considerations for corporations that embrace or do not embrace ESG?

The second session will focus on “Overcoming Resistance to Innovation Within the Legal Department.” The third session will deal with “Ethical Use of AI and the Emerging Legal Landscape.”

SUSTAINABLE INVESTING

The ESG and Law Institute is a resource for Wall Street, Wall Street law firms, and law students heading to Wall Street. Global Sustainable or ESG investing, projects Bloomberg Intelligence, is on track to reach $53 trillion by 2025. It is becoming standard for financial firms to have a Chief Sustainability Officer.

Connect with Law and More’s editor-in-chief Jane Genova at janegenova374@gmail.com. Now and then she does freelance assignments for professional services firms such as Paul Weiss.

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